Showing 22 results for Masoudi
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 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 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.
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.
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 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.
Abbas Masoudi, Gholam Hossein Lighat, Mohammad Hossein Pol,
Volume 14, Issue 4 (7-2014)
Abstract
: This paper investigated experimentally the effect of nanoclay on ballistic impact behavior of GLARE. The prepared GlARE is made of two Aluminum 2024 facing sheets and E glass/ epoxy/nanoclay as nano composite core. Nano composite section has been composed of undirectional E glass 409 g/m2, resin CY 219, hardner HY 5161 and nanoclay closite 30B dispersed into the epoxy system in a 0%, 4%, 7% and 10% ratio in weight with respect to the matrix. All panels fabricated using laid-up method in fiber volume fraction of 60%. Ballistic tests were conducted using Gas gun at the velocity of 205 and 225 m/s. The results of the ballistic impact experiments show that the amount of Specific energy absorption variations in 4% of nanoclay content is insignificant. However, in nanoclay contents of 7% and 10%, the Specific energy absorption increases. To analyze the results of the ballistic impact on the GLARE, the effect of nanoclay on the longitudinal and transversal mechanical properties of the composite was investigated. A noticeable correlation was found between ballistic impact results and Changes of toughness in longitudinal and transversal direction.
Abbas Masoudi, Gholamhossein Lighat, Mohammad Hossein Pol,
Volume 14, Issue 7 (10-2014)
Abstract
This paper investigated experimentally and numerically the effect of nanoclay on ballistic impact behavior of GLARE. The prepared GlARE is made of two Aluminum 2024 facing sheets and E glass/ epoxy/nanoclay as nano composite core. Nano composite section has been composed of undirectional E glass 409 g/m2, resin CY 219, hardner HY 5161 and nanoclay closite 30B dispersed into the epoxy system in a 0%, 4%, 7% and 10% ratio in weight with respect to the matrix. All panels fabricated using laid-up method in fiber weight fraction of 60%. Ballistic tests were conducted using Gas gun at the velocity of 205 and 225 m/s. The results of the ballistic impact experiments show that the amount of Specific energy absorption variations in 4% of nanoclay content is insignificant. However, in nanoclay contents of 7% and 10%, the Specific energy absorption increases. In other words, it be concluded that nanoclay has positive effect on higher percentage on the ballistic impact. The 3D finite element (FE) code, LS-DYNA, is used to model and validate the experimentally obtained results. A noticeable correlation was found between experimental and numerical results.
Saeed Amini, Soroush Masoudi, Ghasem Amirian,
Volume 15, Issue 12 (2-2016)
Abstract
The main problems in machining of thin-walled parts made of high-strength aluminum alloys are distortion and dimensional instability, which lead to an increase in distorted part scraps and production costs. This article attempts to investigate the correlation between machining-induced and quench-induced residual stresses and the distortion of thin-walled parts made of AL7075 alloy. The experiments are carried out in two steps. In the first step, the effects of polymer and uphill quenching methods in comparison with water quenching in the reduction of residual stresses are investigated on an experimental basis. By conducting the machining tests, the effect of residual stress on distortion is investigated. In the second step, several experiments are carried out under different machining conditions. To study the effect of mechanical and thermal loads on the residual stresses and distortion, the machining force and temperature of cutting area are measured. Finally, the correlation between the machining-induced residual stress and distortion is studied by measurement of stress on some parts. The results indicate that both machining and quench-induced residual stresses are effective in distortion of thin walled parts.
Volume 15, Issue 62 (3-2019)
Abstract
Analysis of conceptions and methods of describing the double contrasts in literary texts is one of the criticism methods in structuralism approach, and clarifies or interprets some hidden meanings of text. This paper comparatively analyzes the sexual contrasts in two novels of the 1980s (Bagh Bolour and Del Foulad) with two novels of the 2000s (Negaran Nabash and Kafe Piano). Level of studying the contrasts is two fundamental elements of narration: phenomenon and characterization. The general analysis of some contrasts existing behind the sexual view of texts on study indicates that: (1) double items of tradition/ renovation, freedom/ limitation, virginity/ prostitution, depression/ freshness are common in the novels of the 1980s; (2) the contrasts of today/ past, celibacy/ marital, realism/ idealism, mental sex/ physiological sex are different from the contrasts of two novels of the 1980s but the double items such as freedom/ limitation, tradition/ renovation, freshness/ depression are common in the novels of the two decades.
Volume 16, Issue 1 (1-2014)
Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyze the polymorphisms existing in the 5´ flanking region, exonic, and some parts of the intronic regions as well as methylation analysis of the EDNRB gene in cattle and goat. These regions were sequenced in three different breeds of cattle including Sistani, Golpayegani, and Holstein and were compared with that of Marghoz goat. The results identified that this gene encodes 441 amino acid residues in cattle and goat with highly conserved domains between them. A total of 55 transition and 43 transversion mutations were observed in the 5´ and 3´ flanking and exonic regions. Among the six coding mutations in goat EDNRB gene, a missense mutation of C236>T resulted in substitution of Alanine-79 to Valine. The frequency of the T allele in the goat population was 0.77. In addition, an insertion of TG(29) repeat was identified at the -773 upstream of the gene in goat samples. The promoter region of the gene harbors two GC rich conserved motifs and transcription factor binding sites for GATA and SP1 in both species, which may modulate the expression of the gene. The methylation analysis of a 182 bp fragment of the 5´ region of the EDNRB gene, located at the fringe of the CpG island, was found to be completely methylated in both cattle and goat. Evolutionary analysis revealed that the cattle and goat EDNRB proteins were sisters in their own clade and dN / dS ratio demonstrated that the EDNRB gene underwent purifying selection during evolution.
Volume 16, Issue 7 (Supplementary Issue - 2014)
Abstract
The entire land in the Southern Iran faces problems arising out of various types of land degradation, of which the vegetation type forms one of the major ones. The Payab basin (522,470 ha), which covers the lower reaches of Mond River, was chosen for a test risk assessment of this type. The different kinds of data for indicators of vegetation degradation were taken from the records and published reports of Iran governmental offices. A new model was developed for assessing the risk of vegetation degradation. Taking into consideration nine indicators of vegetation degradation, the model identifies areas with ‘Potential Risk’ (risky zones) and areas of ‘Actual Risk’ projecting the probability of the worse degradation in future. The preparation of risk maps, based on the GIS analysis of these indicators will be helpful for prioritizing the areas to initiate remedial measures. A hazard map for each indicator was first prepared in GIS by fixing the thresholds of severity classes of the indicators. The risk classes were defined on the basis of risk scores arrived at by assigning the appropriate attributes to the indicators and the risk map prepared by overlaying some nine hazard maps in the GIS. Areas under actual risk were found to be widespread (93%) in the basin and when the risk map classified into subclasses of potential risk with different probability levels the model would project a statistical picture of the risk of vegetation degradation.
Volume 17, Issue 2 (3-2015)
Abstract
Lactobacilli, like the other gut commensal bacteria, are well known for their use in poultry nutrition and for their probiotic properties. However, little is known about their interaction with the gastro-intestinal tract when administered in vivo. To specifically monitor the passage of lactobacilli after administered in hatchery, Lactobacillus plantarum was transformed with the recombinant vector pLEM415::gfp. A total of 200 one-day old chicks (ROSS 308) were assigned to five experimental groups including the control and four in-hatchery probiotic administration method groups comprised of in ovo injection, oral gavage, spray, and vent lip application. At 0, 4, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours post-probiotic administration, 6 chicks were sacrificed from each group. Adhered bacteria were sampled from intestinal sections. Polymerize chain reaction (PCR) was used to trace the transformed L. plantarum in the alimentary tract of the birds. The GFP transformed bacteria were detected in intestinal samples of oral gavage, spray, and in ovo injection groups; while in vent lip method no GFP transformed bacteria were detectable. Oral gavage method of probiotic administration was the most effective route, which seemed to be the result of direct delivery of the full dose of probiotic microorganisms into the target sites. Based on the results of this trial, administration of probiotic in hatchery had a positive effect on the morphology of the intestine and in ovo injection route, and oral gavage method seemed to be more effective. In this experiment, the utility of transformed probiotic bacteria with GFP was shown to monitor the fate of the probiotics when administered via various routes to poultry.
M. Arvahi , S.gh. Masoudi , A. Mohammadi ,
Volume 19, Issue 4 (April 2019)
Abstract
Microfluidic chips in the last two decades have had significant advances in the analysis of interfacial tension phenomenon due to their many advantages. To analyze interfacial tension phenomena, droplet flow in microchannels can be used. In this study, water-n-hexane interfacial tension in the presence of surface-active agents was measured, using microfluidic tensiometry. For this purpose, a glass microfluidic flow-focusing junction was fabricated for generating n-hexane droplets within an aqueous phase. The dependence of droplet size on the concentration of surfactants has been investigated. A theoretical equation was developed, considering force balance on the droplet generation in the microfluidic device, giving a relation between the interfacial tension and the generated droplet sizes. By standardizing the microfluidic chips with the aid of a system, whose interfacial tension is known (hexane normal and tween 20 in distilled water), interfacial tension can be measured with measuring the size of produced droplets for other systems that can form droplets in the microchannel. In this study, the microfluidic device and the relation were employed to measure the interfacial tension in the presence of either of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) or Cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactants. It was found that the measured interfacial tensions deviate less than 10% compared to those measured with a commercially available ring method.
Volume 23, Issue 2 (3-2021)
Abstract
Heat stress, or
hyperthermia, can have a serious effect on chicken performance in poultry industry in many parts of the world. Both genetics and environment play key role in the performance of a chicken and, therefore, it is important to consider both factors in addressing heat stress. On genetics level, genome-wide association studies have become a popular method for studying heat stress in recent years. A population of 202 F
2 chickens was reared for 84 days to find genes and genomic regions affecting growth traits and immune system. But, due to unexpected acute increase in temperature at day 83, 182 birds died (case) and 20 birds remained alive (control). At the age of 70 days, blood sample of all birds was collected to extract their DNA, using modified salting out method. All samples were genotyped by a 60 K Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) chip. Genome-wide association study was carried out by GCTA to identify gene and genomic regions associated with heat stress tolerance. Results indicated a close relationship between 28 SNPs, located on chromosomes 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 12, 19, 20, and 21 and heat stress tolerance at the level of suggestive significance.
Two suggestively significant markers on chromosome 5, namely, GGaluGA273356 and Gga_rs16479429, were located within and 52 Kb downstream of two genes, including MAPKBP1and SPON1, respectively. Gene ontology analysis indicated that the resistance of chickens to acute increase of temperature might be linked to the function of MAPKBP1 and SPON1 genes and their biological pathways. These results will be useful for understanding the molecular mechanisms of SNPs and candidate genes for heat stress tolerance in chickens and provide a basis for increasing genetic resistance in breeding programs.
Volume 25, Issue 3 (5-2023)
Abstract
Alternative splicing, alternative transcript start site, and alternative transcript polyadenylation site are the main factors resulting in diversity of the transcripts of a gene. The main objectives of this study were to analyze the alternation process in breeds of sheep and goat, and to identify its role in differentiation of breeds of a species. RNA-seq data were prepared from ovarian tissue of two breeds of Shal and Sangsari sheep and two breeds of Tibetan and Jintang black goats. Reads were aligned to the reference genome and significant genes with respect to differential exon usage were identified. The statistical comparison revealed that 8,104 genes were significantly different in exon usage between the sheep breeds and 173 genes differed between the goat breeds. Out of the 121,861 studied exons, only 22.7% were preserved during future generations between the breeds, of which 99.3% did not display any alternatives. The high protection was probably due to the lack of involvement of the exons in alternative process. The genes with differential exon usage in goat had a higher percentage of alternatives than those in sheep. The interracial analysis showed that alternative splicing was the most influential type of alternatives in the breeds of sheep and goats. It seems that the conservation process of the exons is related to the contribution of these exons in alterative process in both sheep and goat breeds. The significant PI3K-Akt and alternative splicing pathways play a role in cell growth, development of ovaries, and mRNAs splicing.
Volume 25, Issue 4 (5-2023)
Abstract
Mating in honeybees causes dramatic changes not only in its behavior and physiology but in genes’ transcriptional level. To determine the molecular mechanisms regulating post-mating behavioral changes, we examined gene expression modification and exon-specific expression of the virgin queen versus the queen injected with semen in hemocoel. The DESeq2 package of R was used to identify the Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs). The DEGs were selected for functional enrichment analysis and Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network construction. We also performed differential exon usage analysis using the DEXseq R package. Results identified a significant expression (FDR< 0.05) of a total of 971 genes between two groups of insects. The mating process produced significant changes in the expression of cell surface receptor signaling pathway, innate immune response, extracellular region, proteinaceous extracellular matrix, nucleous, G-protein coupled receptor activity, heme binding, and transmembrane transporter activity genes. Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network shows that LOC552504 (titin-like) could be considered as a super-hub gene in the mating process of queens. In addition, we identified exons that were differentially expressed in two groups of honeybee queens. At 10% FDR, we found significant differential exon usage in 79 genes. Among them, GB55396 gene had the most differences in exon usage and could be the best candidate gene for mating and reproductive activation in queens.
