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In Khuzestan province of Iran, the number of traffic passes made by heavy farm machinery in sugarcane land preparation varies depending upon field conditions, ranging from a minimum of 10 to a maximum of 16 passes annually. To reduce energy, time and cost, it is imperative to use conservation tillage as well as controlled traffic systems. The objectives of this research were to develop, and evaluate a combined strip deep tillage machine equipped with a two-level deep tillage implement including a dual sideway-share and a winged subsoiler, cum with a set of discs. For optimizing the dual-sideway-share subsoiler, the effects of share rake angle (7.5 and 15°) and length (150 and 200 mm) on the implement field performance were examined. Also, to optimize the winged subsoiler, it was tested with its wing having different lengths (0, 200, 250, and 300 mm). Finally, the performance of the developed combined strip deep tillage machine was compared with a conventional subsoiler used for deep tillage in the fields. The results showed that the optimized combined strip deep tillage machine should be equipped with the dual sideway-share subsoiler having a share with a 7.5° rake angle and 150 mm length, and the winged subsoiler with 250 mm length for its wing. The results showed that the specific resistance of the developed machine as compared to the conventional subsoiler decreased by 34%. Therefore, the machine has higher efficiency and is an environmentally friendly implement for sustainable sugarcane production in southwest Iran.
 

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The adsorption of polymeric systems onto reservoir rock through altering the wettability of rock surface improves oil recovery and reduces the unwanted water production. . In this study, the adsorption behavior of dilute polymeric systems based on sulfonated polyacrylamide  on the glass particles surfaces (representative of sandstone reservoirs) was investigated and the effect of this phenomenon on changing their surface properties was examined. Results show that crosslinked polymeric samples have lower adsorption on glassy surface comparing with uncrosslinked sulfonated polyacrylamide solution. Furthermore, the contact angle tests results showed that crosslinked samples change the surface property of glass particle less than sulfonated polyacrylamide solution. In addition the Langmuir isotherm model fitted the isotherm data better than the Freundlich model for these dilute polymeric systems. Furthermore, study of the thermodynamic of adsorption showed that their adsorption behavior on glassy surfaces is a spontaneous and exothermic process. 

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considering the benefits of "sense of place for the individual and society, the growth of the aging process in Iran, the importance of their presence in urban spaces as social equity and the impact of the environment on the level of performance and their sense of place, it is important to consider  environmental preferences of this population group. The aim of this research is to improve the relationship between the place and elderly and identifying the effective factors on the formation of sense of place in them. This study is in the context of qualitative methodology and content analysis. The data has been collected using a semi-structured in-depth interview technique and the sample size was determined by the theoretical saturation of the participants.
The research case is Tehran Railway Square; This square is one of the key gates of the Iranian capital. The collected data is encoded in 19 identifiers, 5 concepts and 3 categories. Categories including communicating with people, space efficiency, and space identity. Major concepts include the space-user community, space management, space facilities, space coherence, and space history. The results of this study also indicated that the view of the elderly is not limited to the form of the space, the space-users also affect their sense of place. Thus, the proposed model of this research can be a guide for urban designers and planners to have a positive effect on the sense of place of this population group according to the extracted identities.

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Background: Integrons are considered as to play a significant role in the evolution and spread of antimicrobial resistance genes.
Materials and Methods: A total of 120 clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (collected from Zanjan hospitals between March 2015 and February 2016) were investigated for molecular characterization of MBLs and Class I and II integrons. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was also performed based on the CLSI guidelines. The frequency of MBL producing isolates and the susceptibility to various antimicrobial agents were investigated.
Results: Based on the obtained results, Bla_IMP was the most frequently detected metallo-β-lactamase. The frequency of bla_VIM, blaSPM, and bla_SIM, in MBL producing isolates was 17.1, 57.1, and 14.1%, respectively. No bla_GIM harboring isolate was detected in our study. We detected two (5.7%) multidrug resistant P. aeruginosa strains isolated from the urine and sputum samples, which harbored bla_NDM-1. These isolates also contained bla_IMP and bla_SPM. Class I integron was detected in 94.3% of the MBL positive isolates while 8.5% of the isolates contained Class II integrons. Of five different gene cassettes identified in Class I and II integrons, cassette encoding resistance to trimethoprim (dfr) was found to be predominant.
Conclusion: These results indicate that Class I integrons are widespread among the MBL producing P. aeruginosa isolates. Therefore, appropriate surveillance and control measures are essential to prevent the further spread of MBL and integron producing P. aeruginosa in hospitals.­­

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A study was carried out to map dispersal of Trichogramma brassicae Bezd. on tomato in a 0.5 ha field. First, 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 meter distances from the central point of the field were marked in form of squares. On each square, 8 points were selected and a wooden stake of 1.5 m length was vertically secured into the soil at each point equal to plant height and bearing a yellow sticky trap (YST, 10 × 20 cm) on the top. Moreover, three egg batches each containing ~200 fresh Sitotroga cerealella Oliv.eggs on cardboards(SEC) were stapled on top leaf of three plants around the wooden stake arranged in a 0.75 m arch. Evaluation was done two days before and 2, 4, 6 and 8 days after a release of 50000 newly emerged T. brassicae (~1:1 Male:Famale) from the central point. The number of T. brassicae trapped by YST, and number of parasitised eggs on SEC were counted under a stereomicroscope and noted down. The coefficient of fitting YST data to the model (R²) for all 4 sampling dates was as high as 86%. The average diffusion coefficient was equal to 16.89 m²/day for four times sampling. In general, the distance encompassing 98% of trapped T. brassicae predicted by the model was up to maximum 29.9 m from the central point 8 days after the release. The mean percent parasitism was 44.7, 5.5, 5 and 0.9 per SEC during 2, 4, 6 and 8 days after release, respectively. It is concluded that, the farther the distance from the releasing point and the longer the time elapsed after release, the less number of wasps were recaptured. Therefore, multiple releasing points are required to achieve even distribution and enough population of parasitoids in the field.

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The effects of mucal proteins of sea anemone, Stichodactylahaddoni,on different stages of embryonic development of zebra fish (D. rerio) were examined. The sea anemone samples were collected from the intertidal areas of the Hormuz Island (Persian Gulf), and were frozen at -160 °C. Protein and peptide components were extracted by 100% methanol. Following the total protein assessment by ELISA, three concentrations (2.1, 3.7 and 7.4 mg/ml distil water) were prepared. From each concentration, 2 ml was added to the microplates containing 150 zebra fish eggs each, with 2 replications; microplates with normal aquarium water was also used as control group. The eggs were incubated for 72 hrs and the process of embryonic development was observed every 6 to 12 hours. Results showed that the embryonic development was normal in the control group, while the eggs treated with 3.7 and 7.4 mg/ml ofmucal proteins degenerated and blackened in less than 12 hours. Also a delay in the phase of growth in embryonic development was observed in the group with 1.2 mg/ml of protein. Our results showed that the mucal proteins from this sea anemone can affect embryonic development rapidly, causing delayed growth at low concentration, and cell lysis and embryonic degeneration at high concentrations.

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Research Subject: One of the important methods in the treatment of skin wounds is the use of wound dressings. Recently, the use of polymer-based wound dressings has become increasingly common. The use of natural polymers is very important in wound dressings. The aim of the present study is to design and manufacture a polyvinyl alcohol/aloe vera wound dressing with the capability of healing skin wounds.
Research Approach: The electrospinning method was applied to prepare the samples. Aloe vera gel was first extracted, purified, and powdered by freeze-drying. In all samples, the amount of polyvinyl alcohol and aloe vera powder was fixed at 8 wt.%. This value was selected empirically based on the quality of the produced fibers. Different samples including different amounts of polyvinyl alcohol and aloe vera were produced and their properties including morphology, tensile strength, swelling, degradability, and antimicrobial properties were investigated.
Main Results: The results showed that the dropless random oriented fibers with uniform diameter were produced. The diameter increased with increasing aloe vera contribution, which was attributed to an increase in viscosity due to the presence of aloe vera. With increasing aloe vera contribution in the samples, tensile strength decreased and the elongation percentage increased. The swelling behavior of the specimens was evaluated by measuring the weight of the specimens in a simulated skin environment and the results showed that the presence of aloe vera increased the hydrophilic properties of the specimens. Antimicrobial activity of the samples against two gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa was investigated using the disk diffusion method and it was found that the presence of Aloe vera in the samples brought antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Finally, the findings of this study confirm the feasibility of using polyvinyl alcohol /aloe vera for the production of the electrospun wound dressing.

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Biological and demographic parameters of the mealybug ladybird, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (Mulsant) were evaluated on citrus mealybug, Planococcus citri (Risso) and obscure mealybug, Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret) under 24 ± 2 ºC, 80 ± 5% relative humidity and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L: D) h. The mealybugs had a significant effect on developmental time and reproductive and demographic parameters of the ladybird. Life span (egg to adult death) was obtained 220.85 ± 5.78 and 119.44 ± 2.1 days when fed on Pl. citri and Ps. viburni, respectively. However, mean number of eggs per female (fecundity) and mean percent of egg hatching were significantly higher on Ps. viburni than on Pl. citri. In addition, values of intrinsic rate of increase (r_m), finite rate of increase (λ) andnet reproductive rate (R₀) were significantly higher on Ps. viburni than on Pl. citri.The values of intrinsic rate of increase were estimated 0.081and 0.094 day^-1 on Pl. citri and Ps. viburni, respectively. Results of this study suggested that the obscure mealybug is a more suitable prey than the citrus mealybug as the ladybird displayed shorter developmental time, and higher fecundity and growth rate when fed with obscure mealybug.  

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Abstract Sharks are relatively large sea creatures by an extensive cartilaginous skeleton. The shark cartilage is a rich source of bioactive molecules including collagen protein and glycosaminoglycan. In the present study, Cetyl Piridinium Chloride cationic salt was used for extracting of glycosaminoglycans from dryed cartilage of Carcharhinus dussumieri and their anticoagulant properties were examined. FTIR spectrum was also used to identifing and structurally compare with heparin. The total amount of the extracted glycosaminoglycan was 42.8 mg/g of the dry cartilage. Also, FTIR spectrum results confirmed the presence of heparin- like compounds in the extract. Finally, the anticoagulant properties of extracted glycosaminoglycans was examined by the Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time anticoagulant test (APTT) method in 410, 763, and 1250 concentrations, and Prothrombin Time (PT) method in the 1250 concentration on the human plasma. The anticoagulant time was 43, 50, and 85s in 410, 763, and 1250 concentrations of extracts, respectively, which extended the coagulation time 1.3, 1.5, and 2.5 folds.

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Field experiment was conducted in 2010 and 2011, in order to study the effects of NPK fertilizers on the incidence of Verticillium wilt of a commercial variety 'Agria' in deficient soil at Eghlid Agriculture Research Station in the north of Fars province, Iran. Experimental design was randomized complete blocks and each treatment replicated three times. Treatments were the amounts of recommended NPK rate (180N, 125P, 100K), 20% and 40 % less and more than the rate based on the soil tests. Soil at planting sites was inoculated with 5 ml of microsclerotia suspension (70 ms/ml). Tubers weight, plant height and disease scores were recorded. Two-year combined analysis indicated that there were significant differences at 1% level between the treatments. The results showed a marked decrease in Verticillium wilt incidence and increase in yield when NPK was used at the recommended rate. Lowest disease score and highest yield even more than the cultivar potential were obtained in the plots when N was used 40 % more than the recommended level of the soil test (252 N), combined with K at the level of the soil test (100 K). P was essential for plant growth but had no effect on the disease.  

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This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of three binding agents, including corn starch, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and urea formaldehyde (UFA) (in diets containing 42% soybean meal) on growth performance, pellet water stability and chemical composition of Litopenaeus vannamei. Shrimps with an average initial weight of 0.73 g stored in polyethylene tanks and fed experimental diets for 52 days (four treatments and three replicates). Biometric measurements of shrimp were carried out in two periods of 15 and 21 days. At the end of experiment results showed that the average final weight of shrimp fed the UFA binder is significantly lower than other treatments (p<0.05). Specific growth rate at three sampling periods (p<0.05) and at the end of experimental (p<0.01) was significantly affected by the type of binder, with the lowest SGR in UFA and highest in shrimps were fed control diet. Statistical analysis showed that chemical body composition of shrimp was not significantly affected by dietary treatments. In general, according to the results of diet stability, growth performance and feed utilization as well as shrimp body composition, corn starch is a good binder for whiteleg shrimp feed.

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Internal branding has been recognized as an important issue in marketing in recent trends. Also, internal marketing is one of the tools for implementing the strategy within an organization that focuses on employees as the organization's first customers. Due to increasing importance of the employee's role in the organization, this paper seeks to develop a model in which internal marketing and internal branding are used as internal tools. These tools improve employees’ commitment and encourage them to deliver the brand promises to customers. The statistical population of the research was Semnan Taxation Office personnel from which 78 samples were selected through simple random sampling. Structural equations modeling is used to test the research model using WarpPLS 3.0 software. Based on the findings, the internal marketing does not have a direct impact on the brand performance, but it affects brand performance indirectly through the internal branding. The results of path analysis confirmed the direct effect of internal branding on the brand performance, as well as its indirect effect on performance through employee's commitment to the brand. Moreover, the results indicated that internal marketing does not have a significant effect on corporate brand commitment.

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Witches' broom disease of lime (WBDL) is a lime disease that has destroyed several citrus orchards in Oman, United Arab Emirates and Iran. WBDL is caused by a bacterium ''Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia'' which is spread through the citrus orchards by a leafhopper, Hishimonus phycitis (Distant) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). Leafhoppers are associated with symbiotic microorganisms which provide them with essential amino acids lacking in their diets. Yeast-like relationships with insects are known as common and obligate symbiotic relationship. A prerequisite for the development of future strategies for the symbiotic control of insect pests and insect-vector competence is the identification of insect-associated yeast-like symbionts. In the present study, yeast-like symbionts housed in H. phycitis were investigated in insects collected from 13 districts of citrus orchards distributed in southern Iran (Hormozgan, Kerman, Sistan-Balushestan and Fars provinces). Insects were collected from infected lime trees by a D-Vac and stored at -20 ºC up to the DNA extraction. Total DNA was extracted and PCR was conducted with specific primer sets targeting 18S rRNA and 26S rRNA genes of the symbionts. Results revealed that the vector harboured two yeast symbionts, namely Yeast like symbiont of H. phycitis (Hp-YLS)and Candida pimensis,with a similarity of (98-99%) to those reported from the other Cicadellids. These results substantiate the association of these two endosymbiotic microbiota with H. phycitis which may suggest their ecological interactions. To establish any endosymbiotic relationship and probable interfering in pathogen transmission, further studies are needed.

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Acute toxicity of the field recommended concentration of three conventional insecticides (Diazinon, Malathion and Chlorpyrifos) and mineral oil was evaluated on 3rd and 4th instar larvae and adults of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant. The mortalities caused by the insecticides and mineral oil were significantly different. Diazinon and Malathion with 100% mortality showed the highest toxicity to the different stages of the ladybird. Chlorpyrifos and mineral oil caused less than 30% mortality, while mineral oil had the lowest harmful effect on this predator. Based on LC50 and LC90 values 24h after treatment, the male and female adults of C. montrouzieri were more susceptible to Diazinon (701 and 635; 1257 and 1194ppm) than to Chlorpyrifos (4238 and 4316, 5683 and 5480 ppm). Based on International Organization of Biological Control (IOBC) classification, Chlorpyrifos and mineral oil were classified as category 1 (harmless) and Diazinon and Malathion were placed in category 4 (harmful).

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This study aimed to isolate the thermophilic bacteria producing exoglucanase from hot springs of Dehloran, in Ilam province, in South-West of Iran. After sampling, bacterial enrichment was performed in a medium containing rice barn or CMC (carboxymethyl cellulose). Identifying bacteria was performed based on characteristics such as universal 16SrRNA gene sequencing using PCR. The isolates indicated the most similarity to species Pseudoxanthomonas mexicana، Chelatococcus daeguensis,Promicromonospora sp., Isoptericola variabilis sp. in the GenBank. The selected strain was identified and named as Isoptericola variabilis sp. IDAH9. The strain showed 1 U/ml exoglucanas activity. In order to optimization of enzyme production, the effects of carbon, nitrogen, Tween-80, and sucrose were evaluated. The results showed that the most exoglucanas activity are obtained at concentrations of 0.2% sucrose, 0.6% Tween 80 and 12 g/l of bran and carboxymethyl cellulose carbon sources and 5.6 g/l of ammonium sulfate. The residual enzyme activity was retained 64% of activity after 24 hour incubation at 50 °C. Therefore, Isoptericola variabilis sp. IDAH9 can be a suitable option for production thermostable exoglucanase from low price carbon sources..

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During a survey in 2016, Convolvulus glomeratus showing symptoms resembling those caused by phytoplasmas were observed in Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan province, Iran. These plants were examined for phytoplasma presence by nested-PCR assays using universal primer pair P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/R16R2. All the infected plants indicated positive results using universal primer pairs of P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/R16R2. Results of phylogenetic and virtual RFLP analyses of the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the phytoplasma associated with Convolvulus glomeratus witches' broom (CgWB) was a strain of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma phoenicium'. The phytoplasma was successfully transmitted to healthy plants by leafhopper, Orosius albicinctus (Distant) which account as a vector of this phytoplasma. This is the first report on the presence of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma phoenicium’ (phytoplasma group 16SrIX-J) in C. glomeratus and its insect vector in Iran.
 

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Biodiesel as a clean fuel is renewable, biocompatible and free of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that could be deriving from animals, plants, fungal, algae and bacteria resources. Among these resources, oleaginous fungi due to the high capability to synthesize and accumulation of triacylglycerol are the best source for biodiesel producer. So, in order to providing approaches for increase biodiesel production based on biotechnology, molecular investigation in these organisms could be promising approach, which have been attentioned in this study. In this regard, a precise survey on the related molecular mechanisms led to reveal Malic enzymes as the effective and critical proteins in lipids production and accumulation in oleaginous fungi. Structural characterization of the genes, led to reveal that they are different in the length and GC content as well as they are continuous in the sequence context. Moreover, structural characterization of the enzymes led to determine their localization in the cells, present the functional domains with capability of post-translational modifications in all of them, which are including MAO1_MF, Malic_M and malic. Homologous sequences survey of the enzymes led to introducing fungal species with possible capability for lipid production.structural modeling of the selective malic and malic like enzymes led to provided suitable models in structure and quality in function with binding affinity to malate. In general, the results of this study, while introducing suitable fungal species for securance of biomass, led to reveal effective enzymes with special features that could be useful in tracing the capable strains or transgenesis modification.

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Knowledge of the aerodynamic properties of agricultural materials is needed in equip-ment design for operations such as pneumatic conveying in loading/unloading operations of corn silage into/from silos. While considerable information is available on seed grains, little is known about the aerodynamic behavior of corn (Zea mays L.) silage. In this re-search, the weighed mean terminal velocity of a sample representative of the entire bulk mass was determined using Wolf and Tatepo’s method. The terminal velocity of various particle types (leaf, stalk and corncob pieces) of chopped forage corn plants, which were kept in silo for six months, at different moisture contents (40-50, 50-60 and 60-70% w.b.) was also studied. The terminal velocity was determined by measuring the air velocity re-quired to suspend a particle in a vertical air stream using a wind tunnel. A 3 3 factorial treatment arrangement with 30 replications in a completely randomized design was used to study the effect of moisture content and particle type on the terminal velocity. The mass mean terminal velocities of the corn silage at 40-50, 50-60 and 60-70% moisture con-tents were 7.1, 7.3 and 7.8 m/s, respectively. The results showed that only the effect of par-ticle type on the terminal velocity of corn silage was significant. The mean values of the terminal velocity of corn leaf, stalk and cob pieces were 3.8, 6.8 and 8.8 m/s, respectively. For each particle type at a given moisture content, the terminal velocity was best de-scribed by means of the equation of velocity squared in terms of weight.

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Despite successful lime witches'-broom (LWB) phytoplasma transmission by Hishimonus phycitis to the lime trees and Bakraee seedlings, there is no published document regarding LWB transmission by H. phycitis to lime seedlings. To study the possibility of vector-based transmission to lime seedlings, the feral leafhoppers were collected in LWB-infected lime orchards and caged on one-year old Mexican lime seedlings. Six months after inoculation, 50% of inoculated seedlings showed typical symptoms of LWB and were strongly positive in PCR assays. To our knowledge, this is the first report of transmission of Ca. P. aurantifolia to Mexican lime seedlings by H. phycitis under greenhouse condition.