---

Trissolcus vassilievi (Mayr) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) is one of the most important egg parasitoids of the common sunn pest (CSP), Eurygaster integriceps Puton (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae) in Iran. In this study, the fitness of two populations of T. vassilievi was studied on two populations of hosts in terms of life history parameters. Two populations of T. vassilievi were selected: 1/ Tabriz (as a temperate area), and 2/ Varamin (as a subtropical area), as well as for CSP. Moreover, regarding that outcrossing between populations can produce progeny with superior characteristics, the progeny of reciprocal crosses between original populations also were examined on a single host. The crosses between the two populations caused 13.9-18.5% higher net fecundity than maternal populations which suggests fecundity to be a function of maternal phenotype. The intrinsic rate of increase showed minor differences among treatments which varied between 0.291±0.003 to 0.305±0.003. The partial advantage of the Varamin wasps over the Tabriz ones and the crosses over the original populations was obvious. Such differences may be used to obtain more efficient parasitoids in augmentation programs.
 

---

We present a method to predict the flexible and rigid regions based on sequence. We use the free energy of two consequent amino acids to define a factor for distinguishing flexible regions from the rigid ones. Using statistical analysis of this free energy, we assign a normalized number between zero to one hundred which we call it flexibility number. Taking the effects of up to four neighbors of an amino acid, into account, resulted in an efficient prediction of flexible and rigid regions of a protein.

---

Background: Despite the genetic heterogeneity reported in familial ALS (FALS), SOD1 gene mutations are the most frequent cause of FALS, accounting for around 20% of familial cases (ALS1) and isolated sporadic cases. Mutant forms of SOD1 exhibit toxicity that promotes the death of motor neurons. It is well documented that FALS produces protein aggregates in the motor neurons of FALS patients, which have been found to be associated to mitochondria. Methods: In this study, we cloned the SOD1 gene, using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method, from both a healthy control and a living 79 -year-old man with diagnosis of sporadic form of ALS who had shown unusual rapid progression of disease. RNA samples were available from lymphocytes of them. pET28a expression system and BL21 chemically competent Escherichia coli strain as host were used for protein expression. Results: DNA Sequencing data showed both heterozygosis C to G transition at nucleotide position 21 leading to a C6W changing at protein level and a deletion at nucleotides position 73 to 169 leading to complete deletion of exon two.

---

The methods and techniques of performance evaluation are the key issues in organizational and academic researches.  One of the problems of performance evaluation in working groups is dealing with group performance evaluation and individual performance evaluation. A comprehensive performance evaluation system not only assesses performance at different levels (individual and group) but also considers the dependence and relations between them. Existing systems cannot consider the effect of different levels on each other. In this paper, we use Data Envelopment Analysis method for studying performance as a multi level phenomenon. For this purpose we use a multi-level Data Envelopment Analysis Model for evaluating performance of working groups in a governmental organization in Iran. The model views the groups at the highest level in the hierarchy as the decision-making units whose performance are optimized. Part of the output from the optimization is a set of performance measures for the components of those top level decision-making units. The result shows that the multi-level DEA model is an appropriate model for measuring groups and their members’ performance at simultaneity.

---

Problem: Factors such as the change in the emotional connection of humans with the urban space, events and places, have led to the reduction of place attachment and the aggravation of its consequences in Tehran. 
Target: In this research, analysis of key criteria affecting the use of color palettes as an important factor in the identification and improvement of the spatial attachment of urban spaces in Tehran has been considered.
 authors try to redefine the importance and significance of the urban public arts event in urban spaces, identify the feasibility of performing street music in social environments. The green corridor of Shahrchai and the Khayyam Jonubi sidewalk of Urmia city have been studied.
Method: Interpretive Phenomenological Approach (IPA) is used as a qualitative approach, which aims to provide detailed reviews of the personal life experience of the color perception of the city, and the key criteria affecting the use of the palette. Color schemes are presented in spatial correlation in the framework of causal layered analysis (CLA). Due to the limitation of available samples, a targeted non-random sample was used to identify eleven people with conditions to identify and analyze the approaches and criteria.
Result: The findings of the research showed that the criteria of color preferences, spatial context, citizens' participation, mental image, color perception in the decision-making and urban management system are among the most important criteria affecting the subject of the research. The importance of using color in promoting attachment is influenced by the environmental context, which can lead to the observance of principles such as the presence of citizens in the context of participation. In order to improve the situation of spatial attachment in connection with the color palettes of Tehran metropolis, strategies have been presented in the fields of urban management and design, citizens' participation, and creativity and innovation.

---

Analysis of signed biological networks has been an interest of some researchers in recent years. We consider communities and balanced clusters as two structural patterns that may reveal different structures in the networks. Although biological networks tend to structural balance, this study clarifies adhesive communities in some transcriptional networks of ecoli and yeast differ from the balanced clusters and have significantly more negative links in their structure. This difference may be used as an index in categorizing various systems' structure and function. Also we study the important role of the positive links between balanced clusters, even though the links between these clusters are mostly negative. Analyzing data of some Gene Regulatory Networks, shows that perturbing the genes located at these links, has a larger effect on the system and causes more distance from the initial equilibrium state. So, signed clustering and detecting the links between these clusters can be considered as an effective approach in detecting the functional units and the key components in the system. This can be useful in applications like gene targeting in drug synthesis.

---

In recent years, extensive efforts have been done in developing new educational methods for teaching foreign language in order to increase the language learners' proficiency. This study aims to assess the role of the combined approach of the notional functional syllabus approach and the task-based approach for the purpose of "Arabic for the general aims" and "Arabic for the general academic aims". This assessment has been applied by investigating the required capabilities in learning two skills of speaking and listening in Arabic language by using the descriptive-analytical method. The most important result obtained from this study is that for having an effective communication with the speakers of foreign languages, the issue of linguistic knowledge and even full language input are not so much effective. The factors, which play a significant role in mastering the second languages, include: providing a conversational environment similar to the culture and community of its native speakers, making the process of learning functional and applicable, planning for the creative usage of language ability, and lastly, practical and continuous reproducing of language by the learners.

---

Home Uterine Activity Monitoring (HUAM) has demonstrated to be of great value for preventing preterm labor in recent years. In this research, a low cost monitoring device for non-invasive monitoring of the uterine activity in pregnant women is presented. The new device has been designed based on an inductive Colpitz oscillator and vertical displacement of a ferrite core in a coil. The resulting frequency of the oscillator is proportional to the pressure in the external surface of the abdomen. This frequency is measured by the portable monitor. A low-power static random access memory (SRAM) provides long-term data storage. The proposed sensor for detecting uterine contractions has light weight, high stability and low cost. This sensor is very simple to manufacture and use for long-term ambulatory monitoring of the uterine activity. Furthermore, this sensor can be calibrated using software. Other features of the sensor are, resolution of 0.13 mmHg, repeatability close to 96% and input range from 0 to 95.32 mmHg.

---

Since the advent of amendatory or revolution in the grammar-translation method in late 19^th century, the processes dominating the second language have changed considerably in the western world. In teaching Arabic language to Persian speakers, however, it is often focused on the grammar-translation method: generally, reading and comprehension and, in fact, lingual ability of the students. In this study, we try to represent an appropriate model named ATN-D in the three areas of language learner, teacher, and style to develop communication ability in terms of needs and challenges using descriptive-analytic method. ATN-D is acronym of four methods: Audio-Lingual Method; Task-based Approach, Notional Functional Syllabus, and Desuggestopedia. We study repetition subject in order to stabilize lingual structures and vocabularies in the Audio-Lingual Method.  We investigate forming a natural conversational environment and communication and action aspects in Task-based Approach, and Notional Functional Syllabus, respectively. Finally, suggestion-desuggestion is studied in Desuggestopedia method. The most significant result obtained of applying this theory is that appropriate dialogue-directed way, correct use of grammatical structures, strengthening and suggestion for ability in applying proper expression in special social situations, ability in starting, entering, cooperating and ending a conversation, as well as ability in developing a contact with correcting the conversational process and so on play a considerable role in learning two oral skills (speaking and listening) in Arabic language in order to strength and stabilize the communication ability.   

---

The functional response of the egg parasitoid, Trissolcus vassilievi (Nees) (Hym., Scelionidae), on eggs of the sunn pest, Eurygaster integriceps Put. (Hem., Scutelleridae) was investigated at six constant temperatures (12, 15, 20, 25, 28 and 32 °C) for 8 hours. Using logistic regression, a type III functional response was determined for T. vassilievi at the two temperatures 15 and 32 °C. Any functional response was not detected at other temperatures. The Hassells’ type III model was used for estimating searching efficiency (a) and handling time (T_h). At 32 °C the highest attack rateand the lowest handling time was recorded 0.2029 per hour and 0.1856 hour, respectively. Results show that the parasitoid can be used in the pest management programs at low and high temperatures.

---

Aphis gossypii Glover is one of the major pests of cucumber in Iran. The effects of different concentrations of nitrogen (N1 = 0, N2 = 30, N3 = 60, N4 = 90 and N5 = 120 kg/ha), phosphorus (P1 = 0, P2 = 15 and P3 = 22.5 kg/ha) and silicon (Si1 = 0, Si2 = 100 and Si3 = 200 kg/ha) on life table parameters of apterous morph of A. gossypii were studied. This study was conducted as factorial experiment based on RCD with nine replications in a growth chamber at temperature of 25 ± 3 °C, 60 ± 5% relative humidity (RH) and a photoperiod of 16: 8 h (light: dark). The experiments were carried out using clip-cages that were fixed on leaves of cucumber growing in pots. According to the results, total fecundity of A. gossypii significantly was different among treatments and it was the highest on N1P2Si2 (64.33 offspring) and the lowest on N3P2Si1 (22.67 offspring). The lowest and the highest values of R0 were observed on N3P2Si1and N4P2Si2, respectively. The shortest mean generation time (T) was found on N4P1Si3 and the longest was on N5P3Si1. Furthermore, the lowest and the highest values of r were obtained on N5P3Si2 (0.27 day-1) and N5P1Si1 (0.41 day-1). Our results showed that in simultaneous application, the phosphorus had a more impact on life history and performance of cotton aphid.

---

Backgrounds: Metallo-β-Lactamase (MBL) enzymes-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains are one of the most important causes of nosocomial infections and are very difficult to treat, leading to high mortality rate. Therefore, control of these cases is very important, especially in burns. This study aimed to systematically review published data on MBL genes prevalence among P. aeruginosa strains isolated from burn patients.
Materials & Methods: ISI Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar were searched using appropriate key terms as follows: P. aeruginosa, metallo-β-lactamase, burn patients, imipenem resistant, and Iran. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were conducted by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion and broth microdilution methods according to the CLSI guidelines. The MBL producers was evaluated by the combination disk diffusion test (CDDT), and detection of genes such as blaIMP, blaVIM, blaSPM and blaNDM was performed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In this review statistical analyses were performed using STATA statistical software Ver.13.
Results: Out of 410 retrieved articles, 18 articles were eligible to be included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. These studies were carried out in Tehran, Shiraz, Yazd, Zahedan, and other locations. Pooled estimation of all P. aeruginosa strains included in 18 studies showed that the prevalence of MBL-producing P. aeruginosa strains in Iranian population was about 49% (95% CI: 33-65). The present study findings also revealed that in Iranian population, the most prevalent MBL genes were blaIMP with 17% (95% CI) and blaVIM with 13% (95% CI), respectively.
Conclusion: Detection of these bacterial resistance genes should be performed nationally, and strict control measures should be put on the agenda to reduce the incidence of these cases.

---

The sensitivity of the text of the Qur'an requires careful evaluation of its translation. Such evaluation requires a scientific basis and a comprehensive model. In recent years, evaluators have used Translation evaluation models in evaluation of Quran translation, but those models are not designed to criticize the translation of a sacred text. Given the specific features of the Qur'an, its translation evaluation requires a distinctive and indigenous model. In order to design such a model, it is necessary to examine the models presented in translation studies. To this end, this paper studies the Garces’ model and its efficiency in evaluating the translation of the Qur'an. For this purpose, present paper evaluates the TT-oriented translation of Makarem and looks for efficient and inefficient components of the Garces’ model and its advantages and disadvantages. This study shows that the components of definition, expansion, Transposition, Modulation Explanation, creative expansion, inappropriate expression in TT, elaboration, and Variation in the use of rhetorical figures are the most efficient components in evaluating of Quran translation. On the other hand, Suppression of committed subject, Suppression of marginal text and Moderation in conversational expressions are inefficient and the other components have little efficiency. The advantages of the Garces’ model are its multilevel and minimized components, as well as its special attention to the rhetorical figures. The disadvantages of this model are the general division of the components into positive and negative, regardless of their necessity, some components interference, and the lack of components for discursive cohesion.

---

Backgrounds: A common problem among diabetic patients is foot ulcers and infections, impacting up to 15% of diabetic patients over their lifetime. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of bacterial agents and their antimicrobial resistance pattern in patients with diabetic foot infection in Namazi and Shahid Faghihi hospitals in Shiraz.
Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Namazi and Shahid Faghihi hospitals in Shiraz. The collected samples were transferred to the laboratory for culture and biochemical tests. After accurate identification of bacterial agents, antibiotic susceptibility of all isolated bacteria was evaluated by disk diffusion method based on CLSI guidelines. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (Version 19).
Findings: In this study, 166 patients with diabetic foot ulcers were evaluated. The mean age of patients was 55.8± 13.2 years, and 109 (66.4%) cases were male. Also, 62% of patients had an underlying disease, while most of them had hypertension (27%). The most prevalent isolated bacterium was Staphylococcus epidermidis. The most effective antibiotics against isolated Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were vancomycin and amikacin, respectively.
Conclusion: In this study, it was concluded that the frequency of Gram-negative bacteria in diabetic foot ulcer infections was higher than that of Gram-positive bacteria.

---

---

View on Scopus
The monotypic genus Fulmekiola Karny of Thrips genus-group (Thripidae: Thripinae) is recorded in Iran for the first time. This is the sixth member of this group recorded from Iran after Microcephalothrips (one species), Sphaerothrips (one species), Stenchaetothrips (2 species), Stenothrips (one species) and Thrips (35 species). Diagnostic characters and the geographical distribution of the newly recorded thrips, Fulmekiola serrata (Kobus) are provided along with an updated key to genera of the Iranian Thrips-group.

---

Here we showed that aqueous extract of alligator plant, Bryophyllum daigremontianum L., is able to inhibit systemic and local infection of Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV: family Virgaviridae) in broad bean, Vicia faba L., nettle-leaved goosefoot, Chenopodium murale L., and tobacco, Nicotiana tabacum var. Turkish, N. tabacum var. Xanthi and N. glutinosa L., hosts. Antiviral activity of the extract was retained for a period of 8 days on treated broad bean and tobacco leaves. This activity was negatively correlated with the extract concentration, and it was completely lost by washing the treated leaves of tobacco plants 2 h post application, and was ineffective when applied 24 h post inoculation. No inhibitory effect was found against agro-inoculated strain of Beet curly top virus (BCTV: family Geminiviridae) on sugarbeet, Beta vulgaris L., seedlings. To determine the antiviral agent, Bryophyllum bulk protein designated BBP was isolated from the extract. BBP exhibited RNase activity against total RNA of TMV-infected tobacco tissues and genomic RNA of TMV while it failed to degrade genomic DNA of BCTV. Additionally, BBP completely inhibited TMV on N. glutinosa leaves at concentration of 40 μg/ml. These results suggest that a ribonuclease is mainly responsible for antiviral activity of alligator plant extract. To our knowledge, this is the first report on inhibitory effect of alligator plant extract on a plant virus. This plant species can be considered as a promising source for antiviral proteins in order to develop plant-derived compounds for effective control of plant mosaic diseases caused by TMV.

---

---

 Ooencyrtus fecundus Ferriere and Voegele (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is a gregarious egg parasitoid of sunn pest Eurygaster integriceps Puton. Superparasitism enables a female to produce multiple progeny per host and thus reduces the time spent searching for hosts, but results in progressively smaller progeny as more individuals compete for limited resources within hosts. In this study, we tested whether gregarious development would affect the functional response of O. fecundus reared under laboratory condition (26 ± 2 ºC, 50 ± 10% RH and 16: 8 L: D h). Various host densities (1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 eggs) were offered to females that had developed either as single, or as twins, triplets or quadruplets within host eggs. To resolve the functional responses of these females, a total exposure time of five hours was chosen, based on direct observations of handling time and the maximum daily number of host attacks/female. Functional response of the parasitoid was type III in singleton and twin parents, and type II in triplet and quadruplet ones. However, host mortality rate was 100% in host densities ≤ 8, suggesting density independence at lower densities as expected from a type I functional response. In such circumstances, handling time is expected to be zero, but was observed to be 11.4 to 14.3 minutes in different treatments. These results suggest that when enough time was available to find and handle all hosts, a type II functional response resembles Type I one. Searching efficiency increased and handling time decreased with body size of the parasitoid of four categories.
 

---

For effective integrated pest management (IPM) programs, it is essential to determine the thermal requirements and apply an accurate forecasting method based on daily degree units of pests. The present study investigated the physiological time (Degree-Days) and the number of generations of tomato leaf miner (TLM), Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) in Varamin region (Tehran, Iran) on two tomato cultivars (Cal JN3 and Early Urbana Y) under field-cage and open-field conditions during tomato growing seasons in 2015 and 2016. The environmental temperature was recorded hourly using an electronic data logger. The results indicated that TLM completed three generations during tomato growing seasons on the two tomato cultivars in both years. Degree-days for each generation and the thermal requirements of immature stages were a little different under field-cage and open-field conditions in 2015 and 2016. Furthermore, the pest completed each generation, one to three days earlier in the open-field conditions depending on tomato cultivars. On the whole, findings of this study can improve monitoring and forecasting phenological events of T. absoluta and thereby assist in timely adoption of management practices in IPM programs.