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Showing 89 results for Dehghani
Volume 0, Issue 0 (ARTICLES IN PRESS 2024)
Abstract
The increasing demand for food, especially poultry products, highlights critical challenges to food security. In this context, agricultural entrepreneurship in the poultry sub-sector plays a vital role in addressing these challenges by enhancing food supply and contributing to economic growth and development. This study specifically focuses on fostering entrepreneurship within the poultry industry in Mashhad, emphasizing its pivotal role in Iran's economy and its contribution to food security. Using an exploratory research method along with SWOT and Ordinal Priority Approach (OPA) analysis, 18 factors influencing entrepreneurship in the poultry industry were identified and weighted, leading to the development and ranking of 14 strategies. The results indicate that strategies such as transferring the tasks related to the poultry industry from the government to the private sector (SO) and using the capacities of knowledge-based companies for innovation in the supply of poultry input (WT) have the highest scores. In contrast, strategies such as organizing workshops and training courses (WO) and hiring skilled labore (ST) have lower scores. The findings suggest practical concepts for poultry entrepreneurs, including branding, technology adoption, establishing international animal welfare standards, collaborating with knowledge-based companies, and privatization under government supervision. These strategies can foster regional development by promoting entrepreneurship, which in turn can increase employment, economic growth, and productivity, ensuring a balanced distribution of opportunities and resources
Volume 0, Issue 0 (Articles accepted for Publication 2024)
Abstract
Aim and Introduction
Measurement and examination of unobservable variables directly such as inflation expectations or potential output, is really challenging. Inflation expectations have been considered a key variable in many macroeconomic models, particularly in the realm of monetary economics. Macroeconomic models assume that economic agents make consumption, savings, and labor market decisions based on their perception of future inflation levels, and these decisions play a great role in realizing economic variables, including inflation. The role of inflation expectations differs from other inflation-generating factors. While factors such as money supply, budget deficit, exchange rate, and to some extent, economic sanctions can be considered as policy tools. Inflation expectations normally result from the interaction of other factors and may potentially predict future inflation. For example, an increase in the budget deficit, if not addressed independently by the Central Bank, can lead to an increase in money supply, inflation, and intensification of inflation expectations. Thus, inflation expectations can be considered as a variable that evolves within society and changes due to other inflation-generating factors. However, once formed, these expectations themselves become significant factors in inflation and other economic variables. Unlike many countries, in Iran, despite the importance of inflation due to decades of double-digit inflation, no action has been taken to produce and provide survey data related to this variable. However, according to existing literature, comparing the results of alternative methods incorporating inflation expectations with survey data can provide valuable insights. In practice, incorporating inflation expectations can improve the performance of inflation prediction models.
Methodology
Empirical research indicates that methods that consider inflation expectations along with its fluctuations and dynamics outperform models that do not consider these dynamics. Therefore, paying proper attention to how inflation expectations form and fluctuate, as well as avoiding simple methods, is necessary in calculating inflation expectations. In this research, an attempt was made to calculate and present data related to this variable in the framework of rational expectations for the period of 1996 to 2021 using the random forest regression method, considering the strengths and weaknesses of each method of mapping inflation expectations. Subsequently, after learning the random forest-based model, by conducting an in-sample prediction, the data were extracted and the features related to rational expectations regarding these data were examined.
Findings
The coefficient of determination value for the test data was found to be 80%, indicating that, on average, 80% of inflation variations are correctly predicted by economic factors using the model inputs or features. Based on this and by examining the features related to estimation residuals, it was determined that economic factors in predicting inflation do not exhibit systematic errors and, with a sufficiently large time interval and having an adequate information set, can have a proper understanding of inflation behavior. Moreover, the results of comparing inflation expectations based on random forest regression-based predictions show superiority of this approach compared to competing methods such as the Hodrick-Prescott filter. After that, the importance of each of the factors in the basket of information related to inflation expectations was ranked. It should be noted that the selection of features for predicting inflation expectations was not based on the direct attention of households and economic factors to these features. Rather, economic factors and households may find the effect of these features in other evidence. For example, the effect of an increase in the exchange rate on the prices of goods that are somehow related to this variable may be apparent to households, and fundamentally, the prevalent interpretation of rational expectations in the literature of this field is based on this approach. The results of this ranking indicate that among the entire information set, factors such as inflation breaks, exchange rates, and economic sanctions had the highest importance in shaping inflation expectations.
Discussion and Conclusion
It is worth mentioning that inflation breaks have been identified as the most important factor among the entire information set as a manifestation of the adaptive section of inflation expectations. However, this does not mean that expectations are entirely adaptive. Based on the research findings, it is clear that if economic factors rely solely on the adaptive section to predict inflation, zero estimation error, unpredictability of errors, and consequently the formation of rational expectations will not be achieved. Using a combination of three approaches: gradient boosting algorithm, random forest algorithm, and linear regression, a voting regression was also performed, showing a 3% improvement in determination coefficient compared to random forest (83%). Moreover, other results, such as the order and intensity of feature importance, and predicted inflation values, are similar to the random forest method with slight variations which means, estimating rational expectations is reliable
Measurement and examination of unobservable variables directly such as inflation expectations or potential output, is really challenging. Inflation expectations have been considered a key variable in many macroeconomic models, particularly in the realm of monetary economics. Macroeconomic models assume that economic agents make consumption, savings, and labor market decisions based on their perception of future inflation levels, and these decisions play a great role in realizing economic variables, including inflation. The role of inflation expectations differs from other inflation-generating factors. While factors such as money supply, budget deficit, exchange rate, and to some extent, economic sanctions can be considered as policy tools. Inflation expectations normally result from the interaction of other factors and may potentially predict future inflation. For example, an increase in the budget deficit, if not addressed independently by the Central Bank, can lead to an increase in money supply, inflation, and intensification of inflation expectations. Thus, inflation expectations can be considered as a variable that evolves within society and changes due to other inflation-generating factors. However, once formed, these expectations themselves become significant factors in inflation and other economic variables. Unlike many countries, in Iran, despite the importance of inflation due to decades of double-digit inflation, no action has been taken to produce and provide survey data related to this variable. However, according to existing literature, comparing the results of alternative methods incorporating inflation expectations with survey data can provide valuable insights. In practice, incorporating inflation expectations can improve the performance of inflation prediction models.
Methodology
Empirical research indicates that methods that consider inflation expectations along with its fluctuations and dynamics outperform models that do not consider these dynamics. Therefore, paying proper attention to how inflation expectations form and fluctuate, as well as avoiding simple methods, is necessary in calculating inflation expectations. In this research, an attempt was made to calculate and present data related to this variable in the framework of rational expectations for the period of 1996 to 2021 using the random forest regression method, considering the strengths and weaknesses of each method of mapping inflation expectations. Subsequently, after learning the random forest-based model, by conducting an in-sample prediction, the data were extracted and the features related to rational expectations regarding these data were examined.
Findings
The coefficient of determination value for the test data was found to be 80%, indicating that, on average, 80% of inflation variations are correctly predicted by economic factors using the model inputs or features. Based on this and by examining the features related to estimation residuals, it was determined that economic factors in predicting inflation do not exhibit systematic errors and, with a sufficiently large time interval and having an adequate information set, can have a proper understanding of inflation behavior. Moreover, the results of comparing inflation expectations based on random forest regression-based predictions show superiority of this approach compared to competing methods such as the Hodrick-Prescott filter. After that, the importance of each of the factors in the basket of information related to inflation expectations was ranked. It should be noted that the selection of features for predicting inflation expectations was not based on the direct attention of households and economic factors to these features. Rather, economic factors and households may find the effect of these features in other evidence. For example, the effect of an increase in the exchange rate on the prices of goods that are somehow related to this variable may be apparent to households, and fundamentally, the prevalent interpretation of rational expectations in the literature of this field is based on this approach. The results of this ranking indicate that among the entire information set, factors such as inflation breaks, exchange rates, and economic sanctions had the highest importance in shaping inflation expectations.
Discussion and Conclusion
It is worth mentioning that inflation breaks have been identified as the most important factor among the entire information set as a manifestation of the adaptive section of inflation expectations. However, this does not mean that expectations are entirely adaptive. Based on the research findings, it is clear that if economic factors rely solely on the adaptive section to predict inflation, zero estimation error, unpredictability of errors, and consequently the formation of rational expectations will not be achieved. Using a combination of three approaches: gradient boosting algorithm, random forest algorithm, and linear regression, a voting regression was also performed, showing a 3% improvement in determination coefficient compared to random forest (83%). Moreover, other results, such as the order and intensity of feature importance, and predicted inflation values, are similar to the random forest method with slight variations which means, estimating rational expectations is reliable
Volume 1, Issue 1 (10-2011)
Abstract
The recent concept of the cultural landscape is the result of the development of the contemporary society and it`s valuables. In the past years, often the special art works and important monuments were being noticed, but after the world war and its destructions and the enormous industrial development in the decade of 1950’s, people understood that their lives had a close relationship with the environment in which they had lived or worked, and this became a basis for the recognition of the cultural identity and a spiritual reference for a balanced way in their lives. Due to the considerable influence of the cultural regeneration on the desirable components of quality in the living environment of the citizens; the concepts of quality of citizen’s life and the effect of indexes of the objective quality on the citizen’s life, would be studied. On this basis, nowadays paying attention to the urban centers and the solutions based on the necessity of increase in quality of life is very important for the managers and urban program designers; because the desirable quality of the spaces have an undeniable effect on the humanity sensations and spaces are the basis of social and public activities, holding the ceremonies, identification factor of the cities, the arena for the believes to emerge, their thoughts and the way of living.In addition, regarding the fact that one of the main aspects and concentrations of urban buildings and building the large cities was based on the urban complexes, and nowadays the neglectfulness of the urban managers about these type of spaces has made a lot of problems for these centers which have degraded the quality of the life environments of the citizens. Zandiye complex of shiraz, which is a special kind of cultural landscape within the urban environment; is going to be studied and instructions based on the regeneration would be presented to improve the quality of the citizen’s life in this urban complex. The effects of this complex on Shiraz are so that it has defined a part of the identity of this city during the history, because the national and religious ceremonies have been held in this complex. Regardless of the vastness and importance of the Karimkhan complex of buildings due to the diverse and new functions, the zand street passing through the complex and some social-cultural issues, have affected the living quality and sustainable presence of the citizens; So a qualitative coordinator design seems to be very essential. It is obvious that the improvement of the quality of life in the cultural landscape in urban space needs to have access to the criteria’s and conditions which meet the consent of the citizen by providing their spiritual and non-spiritual requirements. The investigation procedure of this paper is based on the descriptive-analytic research method or the historical case study approach. The resources of this research are libraries and field observations.
Volume 1, Issue 2 (summer 2021)
Abstract
Abstract
Today, in the era of the domination of the virtual world over the real world, with the expansion of the Internet and social networks, social communication and subsequent elements of individual identity has undergone extensive quantitative and qualitative changes. Women, as the majority of social media users, are more exposed to threats and psychological harm than ever due to their physical and psychological characteristics. One of the types of harms that can be explained in the context of the knowledge of social psychology is "self-objectification".
The present study is applied in terms of purpose, and descriptive-survey in terms of implementation. The statistical population of the study is 271 high school girls in Kashan. By distributing a standard questionnaire with closed-ended questions, the necessary information was collected. In the process of objectification, women under the influence of media advertisements, draw ideals for themselves and in the same direction, they constantly evaluate and review themselves, and if they see their appearance closer to current patterns at the media, they gain self-confidence; otherwise, they become involved in physical shame. As a result, their self-confidence appears to be conditioned by the fact that it puts their mental health at risk, and this type of risky behavior based on criminological theories such as the lifestyle theory of Gottfredson and Hindelang is likely Increases victimization; Because the more recreational activities and leisure a person has, and the more she interacts with criminals or in criminal or dangerous environments, the more likely she is to become a victim.
Key words: Women Victimization, Social Networks, Self- objectification, Social Prevention
Volume 2, Issue 2 (6-2017)
Abstract
Background: Studies indicate that Muscularskeletal Disorders (MSD) are among the first ranks in terms of economic and healthcare cost of which back pain is in the first place.
Methods and Materials: This study was a cross-sectional study. The study participants were 100 students who were studying at the Tarbiat Modares University in the year of 2016. Data on back pain was collected via the standardized Quebec questionnaire. Quebec questionnaire contains 20 questions with 6 options by which pain intensity is ranked between 0 and 100. Collected data was analyzed using SPSS software version 16. In order to determine the status of musculoskeletal disorders and associated factors, descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used.
Results: Totally 100 students who living in Tarbiat Modares University with mean age of 26.1 ± 3.1 were participated in the study. According to the results, 84% of the students (N = 84) were single, 15% (N = 15) were married, and 1% of the students (N = 1) was divorced. Eighty seven percent of the students (N = 87) were studying in Master degree and 10% of the students (N = 10) were studying in PhD degree. The majority of the students (60%, N = 60) did not report any musculoskeletal pain. However, forty students (40%) suffering from MSD.
Conclusion: This study was designed to investigate the musculoskeletal disorders among the students. As this study revealed a high percentage of the students were suffering from a kind of MSD, designing more researches to confirm these findings and also to design proper preventive intervention are strongly recommended.
Volume 2, Issue 3 (8-2014)
Abstract
Myth and archetype represent the universal aspirations and ideas of human. On the other hand, they represent religious experience and exposure to Holy Existence. On this basis, the mystical narratives are the basic vehicle for development and exposure of archetypes and myths. As for symbolism, and the significance of mystical narratives, necessary to interpret for understanding their texts and to obtain narrative functions, we have surveyed three authentic and effective texts of Attar`s Tazkarat-ol-Olya, Hojviri`s Kashf-ol-Mahjoob and Goshairieh’s Resaleh with mythology approach. Because the mystical narratives benefit from all components of the thought and culture sphere of human, especially archetype, we have reviewed, classified and decoded, according to the their texture, have archetypes such as tree, mountains, caves, animals, colors, cycle and center, the names and numbers in the mentioned three texts. This review illustrates that mystical narratives like other areas of human thought, benefit from myth and archetype to achieve its objectives and functions as one of the dominant elements. Based on these features, many mystical narratives use narrative folk or close to their structure. Archetype and myths explain religious experiences in mystical narratives, which are covered in symbolic forms. Although mythological elements have a bond with Holy Existence, they take distinctive color and odor to the mystical narratives, and describe and three stages of birth, death, and rebirth, and encounter with Holy Existence.
Volume 3, Issue 1 (No.1 (Tome 5)- 2015)
Abstract
Comparative literature is an academic field dealing with the literature of two or more different linguistic, cultural or national groups. While most frequently practiced with the works of different languages, comparative literature may also be performed on the works of the same language, if the works originate from different nations or cultures among which that language is spoken. Also included in the range of inquiry is comparison of different types of art works; for example, a relationship of poetry to other poems. This article compares Nima’s Afsaneh and Alfred de Musset’s Les nuites. Some characteristics of Nima’s Afsaneh subscribe with Alfred de Musset’s Les nuites, and this article reviews the common characteristics of these two poems.
Volume 3, Issue 2 (6-2014)
Abstract
The Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say (Col.: Chrysomelidae) is an important pest of potato worldwide and study of its glucosidases is an important step to develop appropriate pest control strategies. In this study, some biochemical aspects of β-glucosidase in the Colorado potato beetle were determined. The results showed that β-glucosidase activity in the midgut of adults was 6.68 Umg-1. Maximum activity of midgut β-glucosidase occurred at pH 4 to pH 5.5; however, the enzyme is active at pH 3 to pH 7 more than 50% of its relative activity. The enzyme was stable at pH 3 to pH 8 for 2 and 8 hours incubation time. According to the results, optimal temperature for the enzyme activity was 50 °Cand its stability significantly was reduced at 50 °C during 1 to 8 days incubation time. The enzyme activity decreased with the addition of different concentrations of MgCl2, urea, Tris and CaCl2. Enzyme activity was highly decreased at low concentrations of SDS (1 mM).
Volume 3, Issue 12 (winter 2010)
Abstract
Decoding Bibis` Narration Abstract Myths and mythical narration have several meaning and several values. This means that myths and mythical narration in meaning horizon of every tex and course , can be changed in term of surface structure and deep structure .Bibis`s narrations have two structures .one concerned custom of marriage and other depends on religious experience. Bibis` myth and narration such as " Bibi Shahr e Banoo " in Rey and " Bibi Shah Zeinab " in Yazdel e Kashan even if they have victimizing deep structure of fairies but in Islamic periods considering the recreation of stories again and also the form and appearance of restructured buildings are the indicator of religious matter and its joint to the holy time atleast tendency to it , " mysterious " , " awe " , and " splendor " which is at extreme the reason of revelation of descriptions of holly time. these signs and revelations in details and structure of narrator stories and related buildings is appeared . Key word : Bibi, sign,narration, religious experience ,myth .
Volume 4, Issue 4 (Winter 2021)
Abstract
In this research, the possibility of asphaltene separation from the vacuum tower residue using the low cost industrial solvents such as 402, 404, 406, and 410 was investigated. In order to separate asphaltene the IP143/01 and ASTM D 3279-07 separation methods were utilized. In order to find the optimal state of asphaltene precipitation, Design of experiments software with three factors of residence time, the solvent-to-feed ratio and the volume percent of 406 solvent to the total solvent of 406 and 410 were used. The results showed that the effectiveness of each parameter in precipitating the asphaltene attributed to the ratio of solvent to feed, the ratio of solvent 406 to total solvent, and the residence time, respectively and there was a significant interaction between the basic parameters. The best asphaltene precipitation of 5.06% of 7.5% happens at the residence time of 36.97 hours, the ratio of solvent to feed of 35.95 ml/gr and the volume percent of 406 solvent to the total solvent of 27.20%. Asphaltene precipitation percentage for the optimal mixture of industrial solvents was 22.5% lower than the precipitated asphaltene from normal heptane solvent. However, according to the solvents price, industrial solvents (410 and 406) were approximately 50% cheaper than normal heptane, and hence on overall, there was a cost savings of more than 20%
Volume 4, Issue 10 (12-2016)
Abstract
One of the most important Turkish tribe in Iran is Qashqai. This tribe has had its own culture, literature and language. It seems that in the process of modernization and Homogenization in Iran, this culture especially its literature is vanishing. Then, it is necessary to do some researches to protect it from being destroyed. Qashqai tribe has rich oral literature and culture whose stories are a part of it. Since up to now, no study with structural approach has been performed on these stories; we have examined ten stories as case study. The Methodology of the study is based on morphological model of Vladimir Propp, Russian formalist researcher. For this purpose, at first, all stories are analyzed and then each story’s model is mentioned with combination of their motions. This study shows that Qashqai tribe’s stories has the ability of structural study and to great extent is compatible with Iranian stories.
Volume 7, Issue 1 (Winter 2019)
Abstract
Aims: The use of plants for treatment and food returns to ancient times. This study was conducted to examine the essential oil composition and antioxidant activity of the essential oil of Artemisia sieberi Besser at 3 phenological stages and effect of grazing livestock on these properties.
Materials & Methods: For this purpose, 5 shrubs from two sites (under grazing site and enclosure site) were selected randomly at 3 phenological stages. In laboratory operations, essential oil of the species was extracted in by SDE method.
Findings: The results of GC/MS analysis indicated 45 compounds for grazed site with essential oil content 98.73%, and 42 compounds for enclosure site with essential oil content 98.54%. Also, α-tujune (21.63%), α-Pinene (19.53%), and Camphene (10.34%) were the main compounds in the enclosure site and α-tujune (23.70%), α-Pinene (20.33%), and Camphene (12.60%) were the main compounds in the grazed site. The results of screening antioxidant activity using two assays (DPPH and β-carotene-linoleic acid) showed that the free radical scavenging activity of essential oil (IC50 µg ml-1) in the first phenological stage (vegetative stage) was more than other phenological stages in two sites. Also, the inhibition of essential oil in the grazed sites had a significant difference with essential oil's inhibition in the enclosure site.
Conclusions: Effect of grazing on the composition and properties of the essential oil of this species can be considered in the planning of livestock grazing management. We wish our future research on this plant leads to the finding of new natural antioxidant compounds.
Materials & Methods: For this purpose, 5 shrubs from two sites (under grazing site and enclosure site) were selected randomly at 3 phenological stages. In laboratory operations, essential oil of the species was extracted in by SDE method.
Findings: The results of GC/MS analysis indicated 45 compounds for grazed site with essential oil content 98.73%, and 42 compounds for enclosure site with essential oil content 98.54%. Also, α-tujune (21.63%), α-Pinene (19.53%), and Camphene (10.34%) were the main compounds in the enclosure site and α-tujune (23.70%), α-Pinene (20.33%), and Camphene (12.60%) were the main compounds in the grazed site. The results of screening antioxidant activity using two assays (DPPH and β-carotene-linoleic acid) showed that the free radical scavenging activity of essential oil (IC50 µg ml-1) in the first phenological stage (vegetative stage) was more than other phenological stages in two sites. Also, the inhibition of essential oil in the grazed sites had a significant difference with essential oil's inhibition in the enclosure site.
Conclusions: Effect of grazing on the composition and properties of the essential oil of this species can be considered in the planning of livestock grazing management. We wish our future research on this plant leads to the finding of new natural antioxidant compounds.
Volume 7, Issue 3 (Summer 2019)
Abstract
Aims: One of the herbal indices that effects on the livestock grazing behavior is the herbal compounds including the essential oils, so the aim of the present study is the comparison of three Artemisia species in terms of the composition of essential oils coincident and the relationship between livestock grazing time from these three plant species.
Materials and Methods: Three Artemisia species (Artemisia sieberi Bess., Artemisia kermanensis Podl., and Artemisia khorassanica podl.) in the natural from habitats with similar conditions were studied. Five plant stands were selected randomly from each species and the essential oils were obtained by SDE of air-dried samples and the essential oil were analyzed by GC-MS.
Findings: About 88% of essential oil compounds in these three Artemisia species were common and Artemisia kermanensis Podl. had more essential oil percentage (98.47%) and Artemisia sieberi had the lowest essential oil percentage (73.21%) while the rate of grazing on the Artemisia sieberi Bess. was higher compared to two other species in the same vegetative stage. Also, 6% of the compounds were observed only in the Artemisia kermanensis species, which is probably the presence of these compounds are the reason for the lack of feeding by the livestock of this species.
Conclusion: The selection of livestock for grazing of these three species to be highly relevant to their essential oil compounds, although the amount of these compounds has decreased in the third phenological stage, preventing livestock feeding on these species in the first and second stage of vegetation. Livestock grazing planning based on essential oil combinations can be a new horizontal in rangeland management. It seems the biochemical defense in the plants with essential oil is a way to combat animal grazing.
Materials and Methods: Three Artemisia species (Artemisia sieberi Bess., Artemisia kermanensis Podl., and Artemisia khorassanica podl.) in the natural from habitats with similar conditions were studied. Five plant stands were selected randomly from each species and the essential oils were obtained by SDE of air-dried samples and the essential oil were analyzed by GC-MS.
Findings: About 88% of essential oil compounds in these three Artemisia species were common and Artemisia kermanensis Podl. had more essential oil percentage (98.47%) and Artemisia sieberi had the lowest essential oil percentage (73.21%) while the rate of grazing on the Artemisia sieberi Bess. was higher compared to two other species in the same vegetative stage. Also, 6% of the compounds were observed only in the Artemisia kermanensis species, which is probably the presence of these compounds are the reason for the lack of feeding by the livestock of this species.
Conclusion: The selection of livestock for grazing of these three species to be highly relevant to their essential oil compounds, although the amount of these compounds has decreased in the third phenological stage, preventing livestock feeding on these species in the first and second stage of vegetation. Livestock grazing planning based on essential oil combinations can be a new horizontal in rangeland management. It seems the biochemical defense in the plants with essential oil is a way to combat animal grazing.
Volume 8, Issue 2 (Spring 2022)
Abstract
Backgrounds: In recent years, Enterococcus species have emerged as a leading cause of nosocomial infections worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the virulence biomarkers and antibiotic resistance profiles of Enterococcus spp. collected from a main tertiary teaching hospital in Bandar Abbas, Iran.
Materials & Methods: A total of 71 Enterococcus were isolated from clinical specimens of patients in different wards of a hospital. Enterococcus spp. were verified by detecting ddl gene using PCR-based method. Virulence-encoding genes including gelE and cylA were detected using PCR. Antibiotic resistance was assessed using the disk diffusion assay, and vancomycin resistance was identified using the E-test method.
Findings: Among Enterococcus isolates, 50 and 21 isolates were identified as E. faecalis and E. faecium, respectively. Most of the Enterococcus species were isolated from urine, followed by wound samples. The most prevalent virulence genes among E. faecalis isolates were cylA (60%) and gelE (30%); also, 19 and 14% of E. faecium isolates were positive for cylA and gelE genes, respectively. Many isolates of E. faecalis (84%) and E. faecium (76%) were resistant to one or more antibiotics and showed high resistance to gentamicin and ciprofloxacin.
Conclusion: This study revealed a high prevalence of ciprofloxacin and gentamicin resistance and a high frequency of virulence genes among E. faecalis isolates. Due to the high prevalence of MDR Enterococcus strains, control measures are necessary to prevent the emergence and transmission of these strains in different hospital wards.
Volume 8, Issue 3 (3-2019)
Abstract
Despite the growing body of research acknowledging that strong brands are critical for firms' long - term competitiveness, little research examines how firms should manage their brands internally to maximize their value and the brand performance. The aim by present study is to examine the role the role of market orientation, brand management and marketing innovation in improving brand performance. Population of study consists of active firms in the country's food industry and size of sample is 222 obtained through stratified random sampling way. Data gathering toll is the standard questionnaire, for whose reliability Cronbach alpha was applied. Present study is an applied study in terms of purpose and in terms of collecting data it is regarded as a descriptive survey. Considered model was studied using structural equations modeling. The findings show that brand management system helps companies achieve brand performance better than competitors, and market orientation and marketing innovation are two of the key constituents of the system's development. In this study, the brand management system was considered as an intermediate variable for achieving better brand performance.
Volume 8, Issue 3 (Summer 2022)
Abstract
Backgrounds: This study aimed to assess the molecular characteristics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains isolated from community-acquired (CA) and hospital-acquired (HA) infections in Bandar Abbas, southern Iran.
Materials & Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 110 S. aureus strains isolated from 59 outpatients and 51 inpatients during 2018-2019. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using disc diffusion method. Epsilometer test was used to measure vancomycin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Cefoxitin disc (30 μg) was used to screen MRSA isolates. The presence of mecA gene was examined by PCR method. Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) types were detected in S. aureus isolates using multiplex-PCR. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to analyze the results.
Findings: Out of 110 isolates, 45 (40.9%) isolates carried the mecA gene: 20 (39.2%) isolates from inpatients and 25 (42.4%) isolates from outpatients. MRSA isolates showed the highest resistance to azithromycin (69.8%), tetracycline (60.4%), and clindamycin (32.1%), respectively. Vancomycin MIC against MRSA isolates ranged from 0.75 to 5 μg/mL. SCCmec type I, III, IV, and V were detected in 20 (44.4%), three (6.7%), 16 (35.5%), and six (13.3%) isolates, respectively.
Conclusion: The predominant SCCmec types were type I and type IV, which were detected in CA- and HA-MRSA isolates, respectively. No significant difference in the presence of SCCmec type III and antibiotic resistance was found between CA- and HA-MRSA isolates, indicating the possibility of cross-infection between these isolates. Developing appropriate treatment protocols to prevent the spread of MRSA infections in the community is currently an urgent need.
Volume 8, Issue 4 (3-2019)
Abstract
Today, developed and developing countries are focusing more on environmental issues and development. The present study aims to provide a model for the establishment of green human resources management in the entrepreneurship ecosystem. The purpose of this research is in the field of applied research, and since it describes the variables and relationships between them, the recognition of the status quo and finally the presentation of the pattern of deployment, is descriptive-survey method. The statistical population of this research includes relevant experts. In order to reach the consensus, 27 people were studied by interview method and the required information was collected. To analyze qualitative data and to extract factors affecting HRM and its influential factors, the method of analysis of the theme (theme analysis) was used. Structural-interpretive modeling has been used to identify the relationships between variables and the deployment of green human resources in the entrepreneurship ecosystem. The findings of the research include explaining the green human resources management model in the entrepreneurship ecosystem and analyzing the results of infiltration-correlation; the existing model is a model for different businesses with the aim of establishing a green human resource management in the entrepreneurship ecosystem. The research findings show 18 dimensions for the establishment of green human resources management. The research results indicate the impact of green human resource management on entrepreneurship ecosystems and green thinking and sustainable development, and ultimately globalization.
Volume 8, Issue 15 (Spring & Summer 2021)
Abstract
One of the means of translating the Quran is to pay attention to the origin of the meaning of the words of the verses, which paves the way for explaining the meaning of the text. To understand the main words in the verses, the principle of basic meaning, etymology and its meaning in different contexts should be considered. One of the most frequent words in the Holy Quran is the words taken from the article "Nafaq" in a way that for finding an equivalence, the two words "charity" and "hypocrite" are always considered independent due to semantic distance and positive and negative emotional connotation because of not paying attention to the derivation from the principle of matter, and they show the meanings away from the basic meaning. The present research seeks to answer the questions in a descriptive-analytical method, what semantic course has the article "Nafaq" gone through and what components has it in this course? And what is the semantic relationship between the derivatives of this article? The findings of the research indicate that in pre-Islamic Arabic texts and their common scientific language, the word "Nafaq" was used in the meaning of "hole". The Holy Quran created a special culture for the meaning of this word and based on meanings of the hole and the rift, the three words "hypocrite", "charity" and "alimony" has been conceptualized from the article "Nafaq". The difference is that in Quran and in the light of the prototype view, the meanings of "Nafaq" are more limited and it is used in the two areas of charity and spending wealth, as well as hypocrisy and duplicity in beliefs. Based on the original prototype in the scientific language, these meanings have been illustrated and conceptualized in a way that it is necessary for the translators to pay attention to these conceptualizations in the translation of the Quran.
Volume 9, Issue 2 (Spring 2020)
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to identify the phytoplankton species which producing domoic acid and okadaic acid toxins in coastal waters of Banar Abbas city, and to determine the concentration of domoic acid and okadaic acid toxins in water and shellfish samples.Water sampling was performed in winter 2015 and summer 2016 from coastal areas overlooking the discharge of municipal and industrial effluents. Shellfish were collected from the coasts of Bandar Abbas and Bandar-e- Lengeh. Phytoplankton toxins were measured by kit method and instrumental analysis based on ELIZA method.Pseudonitzschia delicatissima, Pseudo-nitzschia pungens and Pseudo-nitzschia seriata were identified in the production of domoic acid, while Dinophysis caudate and Prorocentrum Lima were recorded as okadaic acid producers in the coastal waters of Bandar Abbas. Water-soluble okadaic acid showed significantly higher concentrations than domoic acid. Instudied shellfish samples (Circenita callipyga, Barbatia candida, Telescopium telescopiumandThalessa savignyi), the measured concentrations of okadaic acid ranged from 59.8 ± 2.38 to 121.96 ± 28.25 μg / kg. This value for domoic acid was from 0.85 to 83.59 ± 38.72 μg / kg.Compared to the guideline values, the observed concentrations of okadaic acid and domoic acid toxins in the studied shellfish were lower than the allowable level. But this value was recorded for the water-soluble domoic acid above the allowable value, which requires continuous monitoring to achieve the quantitative and qualitative pattern of phytoplankton toxins in order to support the safety of the marine ecosystem users in Hormozgan province.
Volume 9, Issue 2 (Spring 2024)
Abstract
Aims: The primary objective of this study is to examine the relationship between alexithymia and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among patients experiencing varying degrees of Chronic Pain (CP).
Method and Materials: This study utilized a descriptive causal-comparative approach. The participants were drawn from patients referred to pain and physiotherapy clinics in Tehran from 2022 to 2023. Out of 300 CP patients, 150 patients with high CP levels and an equal number with low CP levels were purposively chosen. The participants completed the Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS), Perth Alexithymia Questionnaire (PAQ), and Post- traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL). Data analysis was performed using SPSS-24 software, employing multivariate analysis of variance.
Findings: The findings revealed a significant difference in the levels of alexithymia and PTSD between the two groups (P<0.001). Patients with high levels of CP demonstrated increased negative-difficulty identifying feelings (F=241.87), positive-difficulty identifying feelings (F=389.01), negative-difficulty describing feelings (F=190.61), positive-difficulty describing feelings (F=347.81), general-externally orientated thinking (F=376.28), re- experiencing (F=246.75), avoidance (F=100.74), negative alterations (F=378.01), hyper-arousal (F=388.46), and emotional numbness (F=388.47) compared to their counterparts(P<0.001).
Conclusion: These findings underscore the intricate relationship between CP, alexithymia, and PTSD. Therefore, the need for comprehensive assessment and management strategies addressing the interplay of these factors in patient care is highlighted.
Method and Materials: This study utilized a descriptive causal-comparative approach. The participants were drawn from patients referred to pain and physiotherapy clinics in Tehran from 2022 to 2023. Out of 300 CP patients, 150 patients with high CP levels and an equal number with low CP levels were purposively chosen. The participants completed the Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS), Perth Alexithymia Questionnaire (PAQ), and Post- traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL). Data analysis was performed using SPSS-24 software, employing multivariate analysis of variance.
Findings: The findings revealed a significant difference in the levels of alexithymia and PTSD between the two groups (P<0.001). Patients with high levels of CP demonstrated increased negative-difficulty identifying feelings (F=241.87), positive-difficulty identifying feelings (F=389.01), negative-difficulty describing feelings (F=190.61), positive-difficulty describing feelings (F=347.81), general-externally orientated thinking (F=376.28), re- experiencing (F=246.75), avoidance (F=100.74), negative alterations (F=378.01), hyper-arousal (F=388.46), and emotional numbness (F=388.47) compared to their counterparts(P<0.001).
Conclusion: These findings underscore the intricate relationship between CP, alexithymia, and PTSD. Therefore, the need for comprehensive assessment and management strategies addressing the interplay of these factors in patient care is highlighted.