---

This study evaluated the efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) as biocontrol agents against aphids, whiteflies and western flower thrips. The research employed a leaf disc bioassay with various conidia concentrations to determine lethal concentration (LC) and time (LT) for pest eradication. Additionally, the study assessed the activity of cuticle-degrading enzymes produced by EPF (Chitinase, Protease, and Lipase) to understand their pathogenic mechanisms. Molecular identification using ITS region of 18S rDNA identified virulent isolates. Results indicated that four isolates, ENPF-16, 24, 41, and 60, achieved significant mortality rates (95% to 100%) at a concentration of 1x10⁸ conidia/mL after nine days. Akanthomyces sp. (ENPF-41) exhibited the highest enzyme activity, followed by Beauveria sp. (ENPF-60). The virulent fungal isolates were identified as Beauveria bassiana and Akanthomyces lecanii. Among EPFs, Akanthomyces lecanii (MT997935) displayed greater virulence against all three test insects with lower LC₅₀ and LT₅₀ values compared to other EPFs. In summary, all fungal isolates induced mortality in the tested pests, but their effectiveness varied. Akanthomyces lecanii (MT997935) emerged as a promising biocontrol candidate due to its broad host range and strong virulence.
 

---

The relocation of nutrients and water fluxes to the forest floor varies spatially due to partition of rainfall into throughfall and stemflow by tree canopies. In this study, nutrient concentrations of rainfall and stemflow were measured for seven rainfall events in Chaboksar area in the Hyrcanian ecozone of Iran composed of Juglans regia Linn and Cup. Sempervirens L. Var. Fastigiata where such information was absent. In the course of the study, a total of 24 samples were collected, and stemflow samples of these species were analysed in relation to rainfall. The results of this study suggest that the nutrient concentrations in stemflow are mainly influenced by vegetation species. The concentrations of CaCO3, nitrate, calcium, magnesium, sodium, zinc, and chloride, were all higher in the stemflow of cypress tree than that of the walnut tree. The concentration of iron in both stemflow samples was zero. The pH level in the stemflow of Juglans regia Linn and Cup. Sempervirens L. Var. Fastigiata was slightly lower than rainfall pH level. However, in terms of heavy metals, the concentration of lead in cypress stemflow was found to be higher than that in walnut stemflow. Furthermore, a very small amount of copper was detected in the stemflow of cypress tree. Electrical conductivity of cypress stemflow was also higher than that of walnut stemflow.

---

Background: Trichomoniasis is the most common nonviral sexually transmitted human disease that is caused by protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis. Metronidazole is the selective drug in trichomoniasis treatment. However, the reported cases show an increasing trend of drug resistance. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of mango and blueberry extracts on T. vaginalis.
Materials and Methods: T. vaginalis was cultured axenically in TYM (Trypticase Yeast Extract) medium supplemented with 10% bovine serum. The effect of mango and blueberry extracts at 50, 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1000 μg.mL^-1 on T. vaginalis was studied after 24 and 48 hours. The final numbers of parasite with a hemocytometer and Trypan blue were recorded. Then the value of IC₅₀ [Half maximal inhibitory concentration] and the lethal percent were calculated. In the present study, the metronidazole was used as positive control. The IC₅₀ value of metronidazole and tinidazole were calculated in the concentrations of 0.02, 0.04, 0.08, 0.16 and 0.32 μg.mL^-1.
Results: The final results confirmed the significant effect of all mango and blueberry extracts concentrations on the reduction of parasite numbers (P-value<0.05(. The extract concentrations of 1000 μg.mL^-1 had the most significant effect on T. vaginalis growth inhibition after 24 hours. The IC₅₀ values of mango and blueberry extracts, metronidazole, and tinidazole were calculated as 118.3, 60.74, 0.042 and 0.02 μg.ml^-1 respectively.
Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, the different concentrations of mango and blueberry extracts have significant anti  Trichomonas vaginalis activities. It is suggested  carrying out further studies on suitable animal models.

---

The influence of initial moisture content on wood decay at different levels of atmospheric oxygen concentration was studied. Three fungi, Coriolus versicolor (C. versicolor) a white rot, Coniophora puteana (C. puteana) a brown rot, and Chaetomium globosum (C. globosum) a soft rot, were chosen. The mycelia of the fungi were inoculated in to mini blocks of Fagus sylvatica (beech) and Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine). Incubation was conducted under four levels of oxygen concentration (1,5,10, and 21% O2) at 22o C. At low oxygen concentrations, an increase of moisture content had a negative effect on the wood decay process by both the Basidiomycetes (C. versicolor and C. puteana) in Scots pine and beech. In air, the effect of initial moisture content on wood decay by these fungi depended on the characteristics of the fungi and the wood species (such as fungal biology and physiology). When C. globosum was used as a colonizer, increasing moisture content generally increased weight loss in the wood blocks (especially in beech). When the moisture content in the wood blocks was increased, more sporulations by C. globosum were also observed on the wood samples. However, the role of oxygen in inceasing wood decay was more important than the moisture content effect.

---

Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of some essential oils and citric acid were determined against two micro-organisms associated with spoilage of orange juice (Saccharomyces cervisiae and Leuconostoc mesenteroids) and against four unidentified microorganisms isolated from citrus surface and spoiled orange juice. MIC for limonene were obtained less than 5% w/v aqueous against Saccharomyces cervisiae and Iso-2.Lianalool minimum inhibitory concentrations was less than 5% w/v aqueous for Leuconostoc mesenteroids. MIC for other microorganisms and essential oils and citric acid were determined more than 5 % w/v aqueous. Survivor Curve testing was conducted on 6 microorganisms.

---

In the last decades, increasing petroleum prices, diminishing oil resources, incessant fluctuations in the oil prices and concerns about global shortage of energy resources have boosted research on production and commercialization of biofuels, e.g., ethanol and butanol, obtained from renewable resources. Besides its application as a fuel, butanol has found numerous industrial applications for the production of plasticizers, lacquers, coatings, detergents, and brake fluids. Biobutanol, together with acetone and ethanol, can be produced in industrial scale by a process called Acetone Butanol Ethanol (ABE) fermentation in anaerobic condition using Clostridium acetobutylicum bacterium. The nature of the carbohydrate and nutrients in the fermentation can affect the ratio of solvents obtained in the ABE fermentation process. In this research, influence of various nutrients and glucose concentrations on the production of butanol by this bacterium was investigated. Results showed that presence of biotin, thiamine, para-amino-benzoic acid, and yeast extract as well as several ions including Mg, Fe, Mn, phosphate, and ammonium acetate in the culture medium is essential for the production of butanol by C. acetobutylicum. Lacks of these compounds in the medium significantly reduced the production of solvents, in spite of the growth of the bacterium .also optimum concentration of glucose was 40g/l for maximum production solvent .In this concentration, maximum solvent concentration was achieved 10.5 g/l and maximum butanol concentration was achieved 6.7g/l with yield of 26.25%.

---

Aims: Nowadays, treatment of bacterial infections is one of the most important challenges in the world. Medicinal plants offer a great hope to overcome these needs because of their chemical diversity and their significant role in the drug development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity of the thyme (Thymus vulgaris) essential oil against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, thyme herb plants were collected and thyme essential oil was extracted. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MICs) tests were performed to determine the antimicrobial activity of Thymus plant against the first (Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Ethambutol) and second (Cycloserine, Streptomycin, Kanamycin) drug antibiotics of mycobacterium. Data were analyzed by SPSS 21 software, using one-way ANOVA test.
Findings: The MICs for Isoniazid, Ethambutol, Streptomycin and Cycloserine were less than 10µg/ml and the MIC values for Rifampicin and Kanamycin were 40µg/ml. The limits of minimal inhibitory concentration of essential oil was between 0.5-40µg/ml (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Thyme essential oil has antibacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberclusis.

---

Background: Concentrations of Se in seven plant species (white mulberry, apricot, spindle tree, pistachio, wheat, barley, chives), and the associated soil samples were investigated in Shahrood and Damghan, Iran.
Materials and Methods: Soil samples were taken from the surface zone (0-5 cm) and plough zone (5-20 cm) in 13 sampling locations. The collected soil and plant samples were taken to the laboratory, then digested usin USEPA's method and analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy technique. 
Results: Since there was a significant correlation (r=0.688, p<0.01) between Se concentration in the two soil's depths, it was turned out that agricultural practices, through tillage and plough, had probably moved Se to the deeper parts of the soil in area in which agricultural activity was prevalent. The highest accumulation of Se was recorded in the chives with the average value of 0.35mg kg^-1. Except for apricot, the concentrations of Se in top parts of the plants (e.g. leaf, grain, fruit) were higher than stem/stalk, implying the easy translocation of this element in the considered plant species.                   
Conclusions: The highest values of bio-concentration factors were recorded in chives followed by spindle tree and wheat, whereas the lowest level was detected in pistachio.

---

Efficacy of the neonicotinoid insecticide, Calypso® was studied on eggs, nymphs and adults of Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood, using a leaf disc bioassay method. Concentrations from 0.15 to 0.8 ml/l were applied by systemic-contact method. Nymphs were more susceptible than eggs and adults, and LC50 and LC30 values were estimated to be 0.465 and 0.263 ml/l, respectively. Also, the longevity and fecundity of exposed females was reduced compared to control. Moreover, the demographic parameters were adversely influenced compared to control. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was significantly decreased to 0.132 and 0.139 day-1 at LC50 and LC30 level, compared to control (0.152 day-1). Other life table parameters (R0, λ, T, and DT) were also significantly lower in the treated insects. Sublethal concentrations of Calypso® may reduce the insecticide residuals on greenhouse crops and reduce the resistance development in greenhouse whiteflies. Therefore, these concentrations may be applicable in the management of T. vaporariorum after complementary studies.

---

To examine the differences between spinetoram and spinosad in their insecticidal activity and stability on the stored wheat, bioassay tests were carried out for six consecutive months at 20 and 30 ± 1 °C by adults of Rhyzopertha dominica (F.)(Coleoptera: Bostrichidae). Samples were taken after zero, 2, 3, 5, 7, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 180 days of insecticides application. Results of median lethal concentrations (LC50s) determined after three days of treatment indicated that spinosad was significantly more toxic than spinetoram against the adults. Results also revealed that mortality decline of R. dominica was correlated with temperature and the gradual degradation of the two insecticides over time during storage period. The half-life of spinosad and spinetoram on stored wheat were 99.02 and 69.32 days at 20 ± 1 °C, respectively. These were shortened at 30 ± 1 °C to 49.51 and 46.21 days, respectively. However spinosad displayed more bioactivity and stability than spinetoram. It can be concluded that spinosad and spinetoram do not remain persistent and even a slow degradation of these insecticides is likely to occur during wheat storage. Residues of spinosad and spinetoram persist on the wheat grains at levels well below the established tolerance levels.

---

Background: Aureobasidin A is known as a cyclic depsipeptide antibiotic with toxic effects against yeasts such as Candida spp at low concentration. Combination therapy is used as a conventional treatment for fungal infections, especially drug-resistant cases. The current study aimed to investigate the combined effects of fluconazole and Aureobasidin A on fluconazole-resistant C. albicans isolates using broth microdilution method.
Materials & Methods: Antifungal activity of Aureobasidin A (AbA) compared to fluconazole against C. albicans ATCC 76615 strain was determined using the standardized broth microdilution method according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI, document M27-Ed4) guidelines. The checkerboard method was used to test the combined effects of Aureobasidin A and fluconazole. The synergy, indifference, and antagonism were defined based on the fractional inhibitory concentration values below 0.5, 0.5-4, and more than 4 μg/mL, respectively.
Findings: MIC50 and MIC90 evaluations of Aureobasidin A and fluconazole were done at concentrations of 0.25-2 and 32-64 μg/mL against C. glabrata isolates, respectively. The synergy between fluconazole and Aureobasidin A was observed against Candida isolate. A reduced MIC was demonstrated against C. albicans isolate when fluconazole was combined with Aureobasidin A at 4 to 0.12 μg/mL concentrations.
Conclusion: The present study findings revealed that Aureobasidin A combined with fluconazole exhibited potent inhibitory effects against fluconazole-resistant C. albicans isolates. Further studies is recommended to investigate the synergistic effects of Aureobasidin A and other antifungal drugs.

 

---

In this study, effects of different concentrations salt solution were analyzed on the changing of chemical contents and yield of salted carp during different stages of processing. For this purpose, samples of common carp Cyprinus carpio was salted in three brine concentrations (10%, 15% and 20%) and fish to brine ratio (1:1/6) and so brine concentration 20 % and fish to brine ratio (1:1) , which was followed by dry salting and storage. Higher weight yield, protein and moisture and lower fat and salt were obtained by using lower salt concentration (%10-15%) than by using higher brine solution (20%) (P<0/05). Maximum and minimum of weight was found in 10% concentration brining stage and in 20% concentration (1:1/6) storage stage. Higher salt was in storage stage therefore lower moisture content and yield was seen in storage stage in four brine solutions. The protein of fillet increased during salting process (P<0/05) which protein content did not showed difference in dry salting and storage. Maximum fat content concluded in 15 and 20 percent salt solution.  Although Salt had a highly significant decreasing effect on the pH during processing, pH content increased during carp storage (P<0/05).  

---

Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine the lethal concentration (LC₅₀ 96h) - Butyl phthalate and Calculate of Low Observable Effect Concentration (LOEC) and Non Observable Effect Concentration (NOEC) on rainbow trout fingerlings.
Materials and Method: Acute static toxicity test was performed based on the standard O.E.C.D. 7.3±1.25g) in 96 hours. Statistical calculation was done with SPSS 21 and probit regression and ANOVA method.
Findings: Mortality was increased with increasing concentrations of - Butyl phthalate Within 24 to 96 hours. Lethal concentrations of 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours were 15.46, 12.96, 11.21 and 9.93mg.L-1, respectively. Observable Effect Concentration (LOEC) of 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours were 3.4, 3.8, 7.2 and 9.95mg.L-1, too. Non Observable Effect Concentration (NOEC) of 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours were 0.78, 0.95, 1.45 and 1.68mg.L-1, respectively.
Conclusion: Toxicological studies are necessary for rainbow trout because of their importance and sensitivity of this species to pollutants). The results of this research can be applied to assess the ecological risks and nutritional risks of this group of pollutants. So, an effective management and control strategy must be executed in order to reduce the problems caused by DnBP in the environment.

---

  Sodium diacetate is a safe chemical presevative which is used as an inhibitor against mould, yeast and some bacteria. In this study anti-microbial effect of sodium diacetate on preventing the growth of some spoilage microorganisms in carbonated beverages was investigated by broth diulation suceptibility test in medium.  At the concentrations of 10¹, 10², 10³ and 10⁵ cells of Saccharomycess cerevisiae per ml 156, 313, 1250 and 5000 ppm of sodium diacetate were respectively determined as the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) preventing growth of the yeast. As for Candida krusei, 625, 1250, 2500 and 5000 ppm of sodium diacetate were MIC inhibiting the growth of the yeast at concentrations of respectively 10¹, 10², 10³ and 10⁵ cells/ml. 2500 and 5000 ppm of sodium diacetate were determined as MIC inhibiting the growth of Leuconostac mesenteroides at the concentrations of respectively 10², 10⁴ bacteria/ml, and for 10² bacteria/ml of Lactobacillus delbrukii was prevented by adding 2500 ppm sodium diacetate. No inhibitory effects of different concentrations of sodium diacetate observed at none of the prepared spore suspension of Aspergilus niger, so no concentrations of sodium diacetate were determined as MIC for this species of mould.The results show that sodium diacetate has inhibitory effects on the above selected yeast and bacteria but no inhibitory effects on the mould of Aspergilus niger.  

---

  In this research the production of tomato juice concentrate in the fruit nectar production plant and using existing equipments have been studied. Tomato juice was produced and then concentrated under high vacuum condition at temperature lower than 50 ^oc up to 20.25 Brix in the laboratory scale. In order to study the quality specifications of the tomato concentrate and juice, the concentrated juice was recombined and physical and organoleptical tests including color, appearance, consistency and flavor were performed. The samples kept for one and three months at temperatures 4,25and 35˚C were studied. Results showed that fruit nectar production line has significant effects on color and vitamin C content of tomato juice. However with additional equipments it is possible to produce a high quality tomato juice concentrate. Moreover it was found that the concentration of tomato juice, had no significant effect on the quality of recombined product and 97 % of vitamin C content was remained unchanged.

---

The potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) is one of the important pests of solanaceous plants, especially potato Solanum tuberosum L., in many temperate areas of the world including Iran. In this study, essential oils were extracted from Artemisia absinthium L., Achillea millefolium L. and Artemisia dracunculus L. using Clevenger apparatus. One-day-old eggs were treated by sublethal concentrations (LC₃₀) of essential oils, and their effects were studied on reproductive parameters and population growth parameters. Probit analysis of ovicidal effects showed that LC₅₀ values for A. absinthium, A. millefolium and A. dracunculuswere 2.60, 2.36 and 1.08 µl/l air, respectively. The percentage of larval penetration into potato tubers was lower than untreated control. The values of intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) in control and treatments of A. absinthium, A. millefolium and A. dracunculus were 0.107, 0.079, 0.081 and 0.087 day^-1, respectively. The results of this study showed that tested essential oils have a good potential to protect stored potatoes from P. operculella infestation.
 
 

---

Aims: The present study intends to assess the toxicity of CuO and ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) at laboratory conditions on some pathogenic bacteria for the reared fish, as well as, a bioassay on rainbow trout.
Material & Methods: For this purpose, the sensitivity of them to the mentioned NPs with a reference antibiotic (florfenicol) was assayed through the well diffusion method, as well as, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bacteriocidal concentration (MBC) were determined by microdilution technique. On the other hand, the lethal toxicity test has been accomplished to the calculation of median lethal concentration (LC50) on some rainbow trout (55.3±7.6 g) in static condition for the 96 consecutive hours. We use one-way ANOVA and Probit regression in order to data analysis.
Findings: Results show that NPs of copper oxide and zinc oxide could significantly inhibit the growth of Streptococcus iniae or kill it at 0.18 and 0.24 µg/ml and more, respectively. The comparison between LC50-96h quantities of CuO NP (107.4 µg/l) and ZnO NP (102.3 µg/l) indicated that the CuO NP has more toxic potential.
Conclusion: According to the laboratory findings, the susceptibility of S. iniae and L. garvieae to ZnO NP were close to florfenicol. The mortality in the fish species due to lethal toxicity would occur if the effective concentration of NPs on the bacterial pathogenic agents being used directly.

---

Politics is specifying the will of the state - which is the subject of politics science- and the Public Administration is implementing the will of state- which is the subject of Public Administration. These two have interaction. The Public Administration is a infrastructure for implementing the will of state and politics specify the structure of Public Administration. Analyzing one of them must be along with the other. One of the subjects that related to them is delegation of power. According to the rate of delegation of power, the methods of managing the Public administration are as following: centralized, concentrated, decentralized, federal and confederation. Federalism (that in this article is synonym to Administrative Federalism) is the subject of this article. In this article, at first definitions, related concepts, strengths and weaknesses of the Administrative Federalism, and the origins and circumstances necessary for the implementior of Administrative Federalism were explained and a kind of comparative study is rendered. Furthermore, the history and present status of centralization and decentralization in public administration in Iran were analyzed. Then, the possibility of implementing of Administrative Federalism in Iran was analyzed. Finally, the model of implementing Administrative Federalism in Iran was suggested.

---

---

Watermelon juice was concentrated by heating at three different temperature-pressure matches (at atmospheric, 38.5 and 7.3 kPa) and 100, 75 and 40°c. The effect of operational pressure-temperature on evaporation rate, pH, viscosity, density and lycopene content of watermelon juice versus time of concentration was evaluated. The result was shown that the higher vacuum degree lead to higher evaporation rate and better preservation of lycopene content as well. The pH of samples didn't change during heating concentration. It was shown there is a linear correlation between density and concentration degree of samples. Also viscosity of samples is independent of operational pressure and it is only depend on concentration degree.