Showing 31 results for Shakiba
Volume 2, Issue 4 (10-2016)
Abstract
Background: Infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Acinetobacter baumannii are of greatest concern for hospitalized patients, particularly those in intensive care units (ICUs). The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of integrons and biofilm formation among P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii isolates collected from ICU and non-ICU inpatients.
Materials and Methods: A total of 90 P. aeruginosa and 90 A. baumannii isolates were recovered from patients admitted into diverse units of Shahid Mohammadi hospital in Bandar Abbas from January to December 2014. Bacterial identification was carried out by phenotypic methods and PCR. Antibiotic susceptibility was measured by disk diffusion assay. The presence of Class 1, 2, and 3 integrons were evaluated by multiplex-PCR. Biofilm quantification was done by microtiter method.
Results: The highest number of isolates (48%) were recovered from ICU patients. 81% of P. aeruginosa isolateswere sensitive to piperacillin/tazobactam and ticarcillin, while 60% were resistant to third generation of cephalosporins. In case of A. baumannii, all the isolates were sensitive to colistin, but 98% were resistant to other antibiotics (p≤0.05). Susceptibility to ceftazidime, ticarcillin, imipenem, and piperacillin/tazobactam were higher among isolates obtained from non-ICU patients. Class 1 integron was detected in 13.3% of the P. aeruginosa and 40% of the A. baumannii isolates, while Class 2 integron was harbored by 7 and 6.6% of the isolates, respectively. Furthermore, 23% of the A. baumannii and 12% of the P. aeruginosa isolates showed strong biofilm activity.
Conclusion: Class 1 integron-positive isolates were resistant to three classes of antibiotics and predominantly observed in specimens collected from ICU patients showing strong biofilm.
Volume 2, Issue 5 (Spring 2021)
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of strategic uncertainty on the business strategy through price, product, promotion, and location compatibility In Selected companies producing sports equipment. The research method is applied in terms of purpose and collecting data, a descriptive survey based on structural equation modeling. The statistical population of the present study was selected productive sport facilities companies' staff. The data collection tool was a standard questionnaire. To assess the validity of the questionnaire, divergent validity tests and convergent validity was used in Smart Pls software. Also, Cronbach's alpha test was used to determine the reliability of the questionnaire; The research findings indicate that strategic uncertainty has a significant effect on the business strategy through price, product, promotion, and location adjustment (P-value = 0.05). Therefore, companies producing sports equipment can develop their business by using strategic uncertainty of techniques such as price adjustment, product adjustment, promotion adjustment, and location adjustment.
Volume 3, Issue 4 (Number 4 - 2001)
Abstract
In recent years, the Russian Wheat Aphid, has been included worldwidely in the list of
the important pests of cereals, particularly wheat plants. In addition to direct serious
damage, the aphid is the main vector of Barley Yellow Dwarf, Barley Mosaic, and Sugarcane
Mosaic Viruses. The pest was reported from East Azarbaidjan province (Iran) a few
years ago and it is now widespread in Tabriz, Ahar and Kaleybar wheat fields. In the present
study, the possibility of any resistance was looked for at the tillering stage in Sardari,
Sabalan, Alvand, Zarrin and Alamoot, the most extensively planted varieties in the province.
The experiment was conducted under glasshouse conditions of 24.4±1.6 oC with 50-
60% R.H. and a photoperiod of 14:l0(L:D). Antibiosis was determined by studying the
percentage survival of the nymphs, their developmental time, and fecundity (total number
of progeny per /female produced within the first 10 and 15 days of the reproductive cycle)
calculating the relevant intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm values). The analysis of variance
indicated that, regarding the last two parameters, there were significant differences
(P<0.05) between the varieties. The highest (43.21±5.45) and the lowest (34.43±8.91) average
numbers of progeny within the first 10 days were observed in those reared on the
Sardari and Zarrin varieties respectively but the figures obtained within the first 15 days
were found to be 49,43±13.31 on Alamoot and 58.86±9.45 on Sardari. Also the highest
mean “rm” value (0.3399±0.01) was estimated for rearings on Sardari with the smallest
(0.2889±0.03) on the latter. At present, Sardari seems to be more likley susceptible to the
aphid amongst the others. Field trials and experiments on later phenological stages of the
wheats and potential role of other resistance mechanisms is going on.
Volume 4, Issue 2 (9-2014)
Abstract
Different people have different perceptions of physical space where movement and rest occur. In this regard, perception of three-dimensional space from the point of view of stationary and moving observers can be analyzed from different perspectives including the observer's favorable or unfavorable perception, persistency and recall capability of the perceived space, the influence of different design variables on the perception, etc. But one of the most important issues which has not attracted due attention in this area and will form the subject of the present study is that of deliberate distortions in the "perception of subjective depth and distance" of a path or space. Indeed, by using the perception of depth and distance and the deliberate distortions in the field of urban design, designers will be able to change this perception experience via informed arrangement of spatial qualities as appropriate in line with the overall design objectives. This way, they can represent a route as shorter or longer than its actual conditions in the minds of observers and users of space. In this paper, among various theoretical approaches about the human visual system function in relation to the perception of depth and distance, cue approach is discussed due to greater emphasis given to it in scientific literature published in recent years as well as its comprehensive theoretical perspective. Based on this approach, in the first part of this article, an attempt has been made to review and analyze the most significant components affecting the perception of depth and distance using a scientific approach via urban design perspective. These components can be integrated or reduced in order to directly control the relative amount of depth and distance perception in the physical space. In the second part, deliberate distortions and their application in design of physical-spatial structures of urban environment in a practical approach are discussed. Upon on the purpose of the study it is based on applied research. Due to complexity of depth and distance perception, we used the combination of exploratory and descriptive-analytical research as the methodology. Keywords: Urban Design, Perceptual Depth and Distance, Cue Approach, Deliberate Distortions, Practical Optical Illusions
Volume 4, Issue 4 (12-2016)
Abstract
Aim: Health-promoting lifestyle (HPL) not only prevents diseases but also improves the individual’s general health and well-being. Global burden of women’s health problem in the postpartum period is enormous while few studies have been undertaken to examine the role of parity difference in women's lifestyle. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of parity on HPL among women in the first year after childbirth.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in governmental health centers in Zanjan (Iran) in 2016 on 310 women. A proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to select the participants. The questionnaire consisted of two parts; the first part assessed the socio-demographic and obstetric characteristics, and the second part was the “Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile II” (HPLP II). The data were analyzed using the SPSS software (ver. 22). Data analysis included the percentage, arithmetic average, and ANOVA tests.
Findings: The results showed that 53.9% of the women had one parity, 36.1% had two parities, and 10% had three and above parities. The mean total HPLP II was 131.28±15.37. The highest and lowest mean scores were dedicated to spiritual growth (25.64±4.50) and physical activity (14.68±3.41) domains, respectively. The women who had two parities had a higher score in health responsibility (25.63±4.39) and physical activity (15.41±3.66) domains than the other groups.
Conclusion: The health behavior of women was moderate. A statistically significant correlation was found between the number of parities and the health responsibility, nutrition, and physical activity, which are the domains of HPL.
Volume 5, Issue 3 (2015 2015)
Abstract
Different people have different perceptions of physical space where movement and rest occur. In this regard, perception of three-dimensional space from the point of view of stationary and moving observers can be analyzed from different perspectives including the observer›s favorable or unfavorable perception, persistency and recall capability of the perceived space, the influence of different design variables on the perception, etc. But one of the most important issues which has not attracted due attention in this area and will form the subject of the present study is that of deliberate distortions in the «perception of subjective depth and distance» of a path or space. Indeed, by using the perception of depth and distance and the deliberate distortions in the field of urban design, designers will be able to change this perception experience via informed arrangement of spatial qualities as appropriate in line with the overall design objectives. This way, they can represent a route as shorter as or longer than its actual conditions in the minds of observers and users of space. In this paper, among various theoretical approaches about the human visual system function in relation to the perception of depth and distance, cue approach is discussed due to greater emphasis given to it in scientific literature published in recent years as well as its comprehensive theoretical perspective. Based on this approach, in the first part of this article, an attempt has been made to review and analyze the most significant components affecting the perception of depth and distance using a scientific approach via urban design perspective. These components can be integrated or reduced in order to directly control the relative amount of depth and distance perception in the physical space. For example, the first part of the present article addressed the influence of light, color, perspective etc. On depth perception. Obviously, if we can exaggerate the natural conditions of these signs via representation and re-design, we will be able to bring about a deliberate change in depth and distance. Indeed, measures such as taking advantage of oval forms in flooring instead of circular ones, making informed changes in the perspective view of a pathway or set of buildings, using purposeful color palettes and planned lighting and the like can leave a significant impact on depth and distance perception. In the second part, deliberate distortions and their application in design of physical-spatial structures of urban environment in a practical approach are discussed. In sum, based on discussions presented in this paper, it can be said that the relative contribution of each of structural features of a space, semantic features of visual scene and other factors in the formation of distance and depth perception errors is not known. Moreover, we still cannot consider a desired visual scene and determine whether there are spatial perception errors in memory. Such predictions will not be possible until we have richer and more objective words at hand to describe many possible spatial relationships between the observer and the elements in front of him, as well as the three-dimensional spatial structures.Such terms can form the basis for testing and describing the effects of different variables on perception issues. As mentioned in the article, practical application of depth and distance design and deliberate distortions in urban design can enable designers to change this perceptual experience. This will be possible via informed arrangements of spatial-physical qualities in a direct manner and proportional to the overall design purposes so that a pathway is perceived by observers and users shorter or longer than it is. On the other hand, whether a space appears deep or shallow is in direct association with its perceived length and in turn, its perceived time. This has not received due attention in practical urban design studies. It is obvious that there is a relationship between the environment and the length of perceived time, but what should be pursued in future urban design studies is how people›s physical - behavioral actions are influenced by this relationship. Such findings can be used to meet many non-physical goals in a project. Thus, knowing aboutthe effects of physical-spatial dimensions on depth and distance perception, and thus on the pedestrians› perceived time, a designer will be able to make a short - but the important in commercial, touristic, and cultural terms- path appear longer than it is to observers. The influence can lead to a greater emphasis on the path importance and the likelihood of unconscious pauses therein, and can enhance the formation of longer-lasting mental images and memories in pedestrians› minds. On the other hand, when an urban designer has to decide on the layout and design of a long corridor, he/she can take advantage of distorting the observers› perception and perceived time to make their perceived path shorter. This, in turn, will decrease their mental fatigue, desire to change path, and inattention to activities, functions and structures towards the end of the path. On the other hand, based on what was mentioned in the present article, when we move through a space, scales and level of details of objects are variable in our experience proportional to our distance from them. Thus, our perception of an object in space varies by our distance from it, our speed and the amount of time we allocate to see a particular scene. In this regard, urban design can impose dramatic changes on the observers› perception of depth in a space through deliberate distortions in their views and perspectives. In fact, when the observer›s perception of depth changes, the arrangement and layout of various components in space can appear compressed or expanded to him/her. This compression and expansion can be deliberately applied to strengthen or weaken spatial definition in a specific physical structure. When an observer moves through a space, he/she can experience a variation and fluctuation, not only among the various levels of vision, but also among perceived deep and shallow spaces. Such fluctuation can add to the richness of movement experience in urban spaces. Upon on the purpose of the study it is based on applied research. Due to complexity of depth and distance perception, we used the combination of exploratory and descriptive-analytical research as the methodology. contrasts with usual expectations, which thinks that the telecommunications and virtual spaces can reduce the demand for spatial mobility and it’s infrastructures- but also means that the simultaneous increase in inter-regional functional relations (both electronic and physical communications) between Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya metropolitan areas. Following this, with developing the functional integration between these areas, the distinction of previous boundaries has been faced with many difficulties. Therefore, this situation can cause to the rise of Japanese Mega city-region, named as “TOKAIDO” the greatest spatial unit in the hurt of japan. This fact may signify the rising of new possible changes in the future of urban and regional spatial structure and provide a situation in which, the current urban planning and management methods -based on industrial age spatial principals- face with many challenges. So, the restructuring of urban policy and planning in the information age may be inevitable
Alireza Shakibaei, Ali Raeispour,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (10-2007)
Abstract
One of the main concerns that many countries of the world are encountering, is some economic activities which are usually hidden from official view. Activities such as exchanging stolen goods, drug trafficking, corruption, gambling, smuggling, are among illegal activities, and others like refusing to report the incomes, fringe benefits, and cash discounts for the staff are among the legal activities of shadow economy. A considerable part of economic literature during the past decade focused on the research findings concering the ways of measuring, defining, and determing the extense of shadow economy in the world. Using the “Structural Equation Modeling” and some literature-specified causes and indicators we aim to reach the case study of Iran. Estimation of size and evolution of Iranian shadow economy is analyzed through “Dynamic Multiple Indicators-Multiple Causes” which is one of the most important indirect techniques available. The advantage of this model is evaluation of the simultaneous impacts of all variables on each other, and has fewer restrictions compered to other models. The research findings reveal the increasing trend of shadow economy in Iran and acts as an alarm for policy makers and authorities.
Volume 8, Issue 7 (No. 7 (Tome 42), Winter Special, (Articles in Persian) 2017)
Abstract
Critical metaphor analysis tries to be a multidisciplinary approach that studies the way social power abuse, dominance, and inequality are enacted, reproduced, and resisted by text and talk through metaphors in the social and political contexts.in the present research, through electing such approaches such as critical discourse analysis, cognitive linguistics, pragmatics and corpus analysis, instances of discourse metaphors extracted from opposing wing’s newspapers such as Keyhan and Mardomsalari in Iran and Telegraph and Mirror in England analyzed based on Lakoff’s cognitive approach and Cameron’s discourse metaphor following Charteris-black’s integrative critical metaphor research. The aim was to investigate the similarities and differences between metaphors and conceptual metaphors in each discourse and subsequently in each language. To tackle this concern, considering each wing’s core principals, political parts of the intended newspapers were analyzed and to narrow down the research just five source domains including conflict, structure, journey, religion and plants were focalized. The results showed that the aforementioned languages and the political wings are different in terms of source domains and frequency due to multilingual factors including society, history and culture. The results also demonstrated the metaphorical features of the discourses in terms of source domains. In this study also each kinds of Lakoff’s structural, ontological, directional metaphors and Cameron’s systematic metaphors were identified. Furthermore, this study showed how identical facts are demonstrated differently by opposing ideologies. Finally this eclectic approach came to known as an effective approach in demonstrating hidden power relations.
Volume 9, Issue 3 (Summer 2021)
Abstract
Aims: Trend analysis of climatic variables has got a great deal of notice from researchers recently. This study aimed to investigate the Spatio-temporal variability of extreme temperature indices based on the station data and gridded dataset analyses over the Bakhtegan-Maharloo basin in Iran from 1980 to 2010.
Materials & Methods: Climatic data related to the Bakhtegan-Maharloo basin was extracted from AgMERRA dataset for the study period (1980-2010) using R software. Daily temperature data were also extracted from the Meteorological Archive of meteorological stations located in the basin during the study period. Warm nights (TN90p), maximum monthly value of daily minimum temperature (TNx), cold nights (TN10p), and cold spell duration indicator (CSDI) indices had been chosen from the indices recommended by the Expert Team for Climate Change Detection Monitoring and Indices (ETCCDMI) and calculated by RClimDex software package.
Findings: The results of AgMERRA and stations data revealed an increasing trend in warm extremes including TN90p and TNx with the trend changes ranging from 0.135 to 0.721 and 0.061 to 0.139, respectively, but a declining trend in cold extremes including TN10p and CSDI with the trend changes ranging from -0.517 to -0.125 and -0.987 to -0.167, respectively.
Conclusion: The results of this study may contribute to a better understanding of regional temperature behavior in the study area. The results indicated that the frequency and intensity of cold extremes have declined, though warm extremes increased. Due to the intensive impacts of temperature extremes on human life, it is essential to speculate the effects of these extreme climatic events in future plannings in various sections.
Volume 10, Issue 2 (Spring 2022)
Abstract
Aims: Maternal health and pregnancy outcomes are vitally important areas of each country's healthcare system. This study aimed to investigate the acceptability of a mobile app-based intervention program for choosing the mode of delivery among pregnant women.
Materials & Method: Thirty pregnant women participated in this study. The Mobile App-Based Program focused on facilitating choosing mode of delivery based on information, motivation, and behavior model among pregnant women in Tehran, Iran. A retrospective post-intervention study was carried out. We used quantitative and qualitative semi-structured interviews to explore the experiences of women participating in the Mobile app-based program and investigate the intervention's acceptability.
Finding: Quantitative result has shown that 76.6% of the users assessed the application as usable. In the qualitative section of the study, three main themes were emerged: 1- specific features of the App (images, text, colors, and etc.); 2- advantages (distance learning method, reliability, and credibility, being user-friendly and comfortability, time-saving, and being interactive); and 3- disadvantages (fear of mobile radiation on fetus, poor internet connection, and limited audience) regarding using of the intervention.
Conclusion: This mobile application eased women's knowledge and behavior and satisfied them, specifically during the new-emerged pandemic. It also helped women to clarify their thoughts regarding their choice on mode of delivery. Participants suggested some shortages using the application that should be noticed.
Alireza Shakibai, Hassan Shahsanai,
Volume 12, Issue 3 (Autumn 2012 2012)
Abstract
Economic convergence can be considered as one of the practical reactions of the countries to globalization process. Thus, selecting a :union: or regional trade group is one of the important goals in economic planning. Studying international business cycles and their transfer from one country to another can have a great impact on regional cooperation. Investigating the relationship between trade and business cycles can also offer a proper analysis of regional integration. In this paper, such convergence is studied after Iran’s presence in Shanghai Group as an observer member and efforts which are made to join it. Econometric method and generalized gravity model for the years 1996-2009 are used to find out if there is any business convergence between Iran and member states of Shanghai Group and if synchronization of business cycles is effective to business convergence. It has been revealed that there is no business convergence between Iran and member states of Shanghai and the business relations are divergent as well. It is also found out that there is a negative and significant relationship between synchronization of business cycles and convergence (divergence) of these countries.
Volume 12, Issue 4 (10-2010)
Abstract
Objective: Profound consumption of medicinal plants products worldwide and public misconception of the products safety puts the urgent need forward as to evaluation of their safe and harmful aspects. In the present study the Lavandula angustifolia essential oil was studied with a view to the foregoing criteria.
Materials and Methods: The antimicrobial, antioxidative, hematologic and cytotoxic properties of Lavandula angustifolia essential oil were studied.
Results: The bacterial strains sensitive to Lavandula angustifolia oil were in the following order: S.aureus> E.coli> K. pneumonia> Streptococcus faecalis> P. aeruginosa. Antioxidative property of the oil was carried out using beta carotene bleaching test and the results were compared with the standard synthetic antioxidants. Lipid peroxidation inhibitions were lower than the synthetic antioxidant BHT and BHA. The oil concentration required for 50% (IC50) free radical scavenging of DPPH was 56 μg/ml with total phenol contents of 85.43 μg GAE/mg for L. angustifolia oil. Ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) in the blood sera of the rats gavaged with a daily dose of 100 µl oil increased by 167.57%. Adverse therapeutic effects were noted as a result of feeding the rats with the essential oil. The volatile oil displayed cytotoxic effects on the human tumor cell line (HeLa cells) and peripheral blood cells with the IC50 of 26 and 21μg/ml respectively. The mutagenic and antimutagenic properties of various concentrations of Lavandula angustifolia oil on TA98 and TA100 strains Salmonella typhimurium in the presence and absence of S9 fraction were determined.
Conclusion: The results show that the Lavandula oil used in the present study may not be consumed without dose determination.
Volume 13, Issue 1 (Winter 2025)
Abstract
Aims: A healthy lifestyle is a crucial modifiable risk factor in breast cancer prevention. This study aimed to identify predictors of health-promoting behaviors based on the self-regulation model among breast cancer patients in northern Iran.
Instrument & Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in 2021 involving 260 breast cancer patients. A questionnaire assessed demographic characteristics, disease status, psychosocial factors related to the self-regulation model, health-promoting behaviors, and patients’ attitudes toward their health. Data were analyzed using correlation coefficients and multivariate linear regression.
Findings: The average age of participants was 52.6±10.6 years. A direct correlation was found between perceived treatment effectiveness and all domains of health-promoting behaviors. The multivariate regression model indicated that perceived treatment effectiveness significantly predicted health-promoting behaviors, including a healthy diet (β=0.20, p=0.016), vitamin consumption (β=0.21, p = 0.002), and performing mammography (β=-0.26, p=0.001).
Conclusion: Perceived treatment effectiveness is closely linked to enhanced health-promoting behaviors.
Volume 13, Issue 4 (12-2013)
Abstract
The moment-curvature envelope describes the changes in the force capacity with deformation during a nonlinear analysis. Therefore, the moment-curvature envelopes for columns, beams and shear walls form an essential part of the analysis. The program IDARC now provides an option for users to input their own cross-section properties directly, and the moment-curvature is computed internally. Since IDARC is most practical and well-known software in damage analysis and the value of Park damage index depends strongly on the ultimate curvature, truth of IDARC's results in section analysis is so highlighted. In IDARC, the moment-curvature analysis is carried out on the cross-section by dividing the concrete area into a number of strips or fibers. The section is subjected to increments of curvature and the strain distribution is obtained from compatibility and equilibrium considerations. In this study, the results of IDARC and OpenSees softwares in determination of moment-curvature curve and ultimate curvature of beams are evaluated. For assessment of the software's responses, there have been used of the experimental results for 9 reinforced concrete beams with different section properties. The moment-curvature analyses of these beams have been done by use of IDARC, OpenSees and finally the code that has been written in this study. Comparison of the results shows significant differences between the IDARC's results and other results. In order to control the accuracy of the analytical results two items have been checked, firstly, the strain of the last compressive concrete fiber in ultimate curvature and secondly, satisfying the equilibrium equations of section during the moment-curvature curve path. This study presents some cases that the axial equilibrium doesn't satisfy in the moment-curvature obtained by IDARC. Also, IDARC doesn't make attention to the ultimate strain of concrete when calculates the ultimate curvature. This result means that the damage index has been calculated by IDARC is not reliable when software accomplishes section analysis. Afterward, the used algorithm in IDARC for moment-curvature analysis has been revised and by proposing the modified algorithm a code has been written that can apply Chang&Mander and Kent&Park stress-strain concrete models. The effect of confinement on the concrete behavior has been applied based on Mander, Priestley and Park model and also based on Kent&Park model for each beam according to its transverse reinforcement. The results of the proposed algorithm conform exactly to OpenSees results. Although this results doesn't match exactly with experimental results, but the general form of moment-curvature curves are similar to somewhat that has been obtained in experiments. The main reason of this difference relates to the value assigned to the ultimate compressive strain of concrete. Since the Park model for estimate of ultimate compressive strain of concrete has been applied, and the efficiency of that is not to the point of this study, the mentioned difference is acceptable.
Alireza Shakibaei, Ghasem Shadmani,
Volume 14, Issue 1 (spring 2014 2014)
Abstract
Estimating the size of shadow economy is of special importance in setting macroeconomic variables and fiscal policies. In recent years, the fuzzy inference sets have been used for measuring shadow economy. In this paper, we present eight new fuzzy indicators for modeling and estimating the size of shadow economy. Thus, according to Lucas definition, we divide the shadow economy into four sectors and define two indicators for each sector. After three fuzzy inference phases, we measure the size of shadow economy. Our results indicate that the effect of production household on Iran’s shadow economy size is decreasing; and irregular, informal and illegal sectors impact size of shadow economy. In addition, the size of Iran’s shadow economy is estimated around 13 percent of GDP, on average, over 1970- 2007.
Mohammadreza Moazzami Gudarzi, Mohammadreza Jaberansari, Azar Moallem, Mahboubeh Shakiba,
Volume 14, Issue 1 (spring 2014 2014)
Abstract
Efficiency of economical units especially banks is one of the success factors in developed countries. In this regard, managers of the banks are responsible for the efficiency of them, which is not possible without evaluation of efficiency of the bank branches under the supervision of the managers. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is a method for calculating the efficiency of various organizations having multiple-inputs multiple-outputs. This method leads to ordering of efficient and inefficient branches and identifying reference unit (DMU) to attain efficiency frontier. Also, effectiveness of each variable in efficiency of each unit can be determined. In this research, an input-oriented BCC model with envelopment form has been employed. Thus, the statistical data from 17 branches of Refah Kargaran Bank in Lorestan Province was collected during 2010-2011. The results show that there are 11 efficient branches (65% of the branches) and 6 inefficient branches. Inefficient branches were ranked in terms of their efficiency, and AP model was used for ranking of the efficient branches. Finally, TOPSIS was applied for ranking of the branches in order to verify the results.
Volume 14, Issue 1 (1-2011)
Abstract
Objective: Despite toxic effects of some essential oils, their use is not under control. With a view to increasing trend of utilisation of herbal products, some biological aspects of Thymus daenensis are repoted here for the first time.
Materials and Methods: Antimicrobial properties using disk diffusion and dilution tests, nitric oxide radical scavenging by Marcocci et al method and cytotoxic properties employing dimethylthiazolyl diphenyltetrazolium bromide reduction test were carried out with Thymus daenensis and commercial Thyme essential oils and their main chemical compound, thymol.
Results: The microbial sensitivity to the oils were in Candida albicans> E.coli> S.aureus> P. aeruginosa order. The minimum inhibitory and microbicidal concentrations were in the range of 0.04-10mg/ml. Nitric oxide radical scavenging was dose dependent with an IC50 of 5, 75, 863 µg, and total phenolics of 644.07±6.79, 16.94±2.55, 10.33±2.31µg Gallic acid equivalent per mg sample and total flavonoid content of 73.51±1.34, 0.56±0.02, 0.21±0.09 mg Catechin equivalent per gram T.daenensis oil, commercial thyme oil and thymol respectively. The concentrations from T.daenensis oil, commercial thyme oil and thymol required to exert 50% fatal effect (IC50) on healthy human normal lymphocytes and Hela cells were 1455, 12.10, 2867 and 4.95, 3.61, 1730 µg respectively.
Conclusion: T. daenensis with its good antimicrobial property can prevent formation of toxic reactive oxygen species and as a good antioxidant, it can directly scavenge NO and O2−. With a view to cancerous cells killing properties of the oils at their lowest concentrations without fatal effect on normal healthy cells, feasibility of their application in combating cancerous cells may be promising.
Volume 15, Issue 2 (4-2015)
Abstract
This study attempts to numerically investigate the hydro-thermal characteristics of a ferrofluid (water and 4 vol% ) in a counter-current horizontal double pipe heat exchanger, which is exposed to a non-uniform transverse magnetic field with different intensities. The magnetic field is generated by an electric current going through a wire parallelly located close to the inner tube and between two pipes. The single phase model and the control volume technique have been used to study the flow. The effects of magnetic field has been added to momentum equation by applying C++ codes in Ansys Fluent 14. The results show that applying this kind of magnetic field causes to produce kelvin force perpendicular to the ferrofluid flow changing axial velocity profile and creating a pair of vortices leads to increase the Nusselt number, friction factor and pressure drop. Comparing the enhancement percentage of Nusselt number, friction factor and pressure drop demonstrate that the optimum value of magnetic number for Re_ff=50 is between Mn=1.33*10^6 and Mn=2.37*10^6 So applying non-uniform transverse magnetic field can control the flow of ferrofluid and improve heat transfer process of double pipe heat exchanger.
Volume 15, Issue 4 (September & October 2024)
Abstract
The emotional system is one of the discourses that is examined in the frameworkof the sign semantic model. In this system, the flow of means production is linked to perceptual sensory conditions of the passoniate and the signs- meanings are transformed into dynamic and muitydimensional forms. In this regard, the purpose of the present study is to explain the role of the mentioned process in the style of the passoniateˈs presence and the evoluation of discours conditions, based on the method of the sign- semantic discourse ,while explaining the emotional process of the story “Al-less va Al-kelb “. Findings show in the story of Al-less and Al-kelab the emotional system is based on passions. The emotions and passions in the novel, of which anger and despair are the most prominent, have created the emotional system of discourse based on a meaningful and logical flow. The occurrence of two events in a passionate life, betrayal of loved ones and failure to avenge betrayers, has played an important role in transforming the discourse by influencing emotions, as well as, fundamentally changing the text. In the initial partes of the text, the emotion of anger while causing a continuous and dynamic presence of passion, cause the value of revenge in the discourse. In the final partes, the feeling of despaire leads to isolation and passionate absence from the scene of events and the value funection of the text has changed from revenge to surrender.
1. Introduction
Discourse semiotics is one of the new approaches in the study of literary texts, which studies the flow of meaning production in discourse systems by being influenced by the flow of phenomenology and accepting the presence of the human factor between the form of expression and the content. In this approach, the meaning is subject to human feelings and emotions above all else, and without a predetermined program in a moment of discourse, it is formed exactly where it is not expected. In this approach, the signs are placed in a meaningful and close interaction with each other and enjoy a process value. That is, they are examined based on an organized process and in the framework of a series of logical operations in which several components and elements are involved. Studying such an approach provides the conditions for analyzing meaning in the form of several discourses such as cognitive, narrative, tense, etc.
The story "Al-Las and Al-Kalab" by Najib Mahfouz paints a true picture of the deepest human feelings in Arab-speaking societies. In this story, the author has described emotions such as anger, sadness, disappointment, and failure as beautifully as possible. Due to the fact that the author has provided detailed analyses of the psychological states of the characters in this story, by relying on the discourse semantics-symbol model, the emotional mechanism of the said work and the stages of its formation during a flow can be understood. Meaningful and explained in the form of a coherent linguistic system.
The use of this method in the criticism of the present story is important from the point of view that by relying on it, the emotional signs of the text will have process value and the hidden meanings of the discourse will be studied from multiple angles. Based on what has been said, the purpose of the current research is to examine the stages of emotional system formation in the framework of a process schema, and then to explain the function of this process in the course of the evolution of the discourse as well as the change in the way of life of passoniators.
Research Question(s)
- What is the role of the emotional process in the discursive advancement of the story "Al-Las and Al-Kalab"?
- How does this process change the value function of the novel "Al-Las and Al-Kalab" and in what way does it change the type of presence of passoniators?
2. Literature Review
Discourse semiotics is one of the approaches that has attracted the attention of many semioticians, especially experts of the Paris school, in recent decades. Some of the most important works and books written in this field are:
1. Algirdas Germas (1987) "Defects of Meaning" which examines the two semantic systems of coincidence and coincidence. The topics of this book provide the basis for moving from classical and action-oriented semantics to Shushi's and emotion-oriented semantics.
2. Claude Zilberberg and Jacques Fontenay (1998) "Tense and Meaning" proposed the tension axis schema of the discourse. According to them, the foundations of tense discourse are formed based on a dynamic interaction of cognitive and sensory-perceptual relations.
3. Eric Landofsky (2004) has studied the sensory and perceptual dimensions of discourse based on the theory of phenomenology. He has also explained the types of subject-object relationships, such as the principles of "having and possessing" and "unity and matching".
Regarding semantic signs in Iran, countless works have been compiled. Some of the most prominent of these works are:
1. Hamidreza Shayiri (2009), "Analysis of the semantic sign of discourse" explains the approach of semantic sign and by analyzing examples of literary works, proposes a model for discourse criticism.
2. Morteza Babak Moin (2016) "The missing dimensions of meaning in classical semiotics, the semantic system of adaptation or dance in interaction" which analyzes the four discourse systems considered by Landofsky, i.e. program-oriented system, persuasion, adaptation, and security and risk.
Najib Mahfouz is one of the contemporary Arab writers who has played a very important role in the growth and flourishing the art of fiction writing, to the extent that he has been called the fourth pyramid of Egypt and the "Gustave Flaubert of the West" (Saeed, 2007: 107). Much scientific and literary research has been compiled about this author and his works. Some of the most important research written in connection with this author and her works are:
1. Faramarz Mirzaei and Ahmad Jamal Omidi (2014), "Dynamics of life in competition: Analysis of the semantic sign of discourse in the short story of the void" in the Journal of Language Essays that have studied the function of the emotional process in changing discourse conditions.
2. Behnam Farsi and Ali Sayadani (2015), "Semiotics of the Titles of Najib Mahfouz's "Trilogy" Novel" in the Arabic Language and Literature Journal based on the semiotics of the titles of three novels (Bain al-Qasserin, Qasr al-Shuq, al-Sukarieh) have been examined.
The distinguishing feature of the research "Semantics of emotional discourse in the story of Al-Las and Al-Kalab" with other research written around the works of Najib Mahfouz is that the present research has analyzed the role of the emotional process in the evolution of discourse conditions - to explain as much of the contents as possible. It has integrated psychological analyses with linguistic topics. According to the author's research, no study based on discourse semiotics has analyzed the story of Al-Las and Al-Kalab; Therefore, with the feeling of such necessity, the author tried to explain the new dimensions of the abilities hidden in the works of Najib Mahfouz and a new manifestation of his worldview by using the discussed approach.
3. Methodology
In the current research, it is tried to explain the emotional process of the story "Al-Las and Al-Kalab" based on the semiotic method of discourse semantics and explain the role of this process in the type of presence of the actor and the evolution of the discourse conditions. In this regard, after describing and studying the theoretical concepts of the research, such as the semantic sign approach and tense discourse, the formation of the schema of the emotional process of the story "Al-Las and Al-Kalab" in five stages of emotional stimulation, emotional capacity, emotional identity, emotional excitement and emotional evaluation of the case, we will review the studies and at the end, the results of the research will be stated.
4. Results
In this research, the discourse system of the story "Al-Las and Al-Kalab" was analyzed based on the method of semantic signs and relying on the schema of Fontan's emotional process. In response to the main questions of the research, based on the role of the emotional process in the transformation of the value function of the discourse and the change of the presence of passion, it was assumed that the discourse of the story has angered the emotional atmosphere. The expansion and transcendence of this emotional space are very important in advancing the narrative course of the story. In fact, under the influence of anger, the actor first denies the betrayal, then prepares to take risks and take revenge on the traitors. In this way, he is challenged with the universe, the basis of sensory-emotional flow is formed, and the actor's emotions play an essential role in the type of his presence and the transformation of the value function of the discourse. According to the findings of the research, the occurrence of betrayal has put the subject (Said Mehran) in front of a discourse spark.
In such an environment, the inner emotions of the activist make his dynamic and sensitive presence in the event scene and lead to countless unexpected and out-of-control events such as the killing of innocent people, the escape of Naboye and Alish Sedre, the rescue of Rauf. ¬ Alwan and finally the siege of the police should take shape in the story. Following the creation of action and the production of events, the movement of the discourse has also enjoyed a fast rhythm.
In the final parts, saving the traitors once again puts the actor in front of a spark of discourse and causes a state of despair to appear. The actor with his affectivity from this sensory-emotional state surrenders to absolute passivity in such a way that by accepting his failure in the challenge of revenge, he refuses to enter the world of action and in some way adapts or aligns himself with the world of existence. In this case, the isolation of presence leads to the collapse of meaning and deactivation. Due to the stop of the production of action, the movement of the discourse has a slow rhythm. It can be said that in the discussed story, as a result of the transformation of the emotion of anger into despair, a kind of transformation is also observed in the value function of the discourse. In other words, the value of surrender has been replaced by revenge.
Volume 16, Issue 3 (10-2016)
Abstract
3D is a secret-key block cipher, designed to secure and fast encryption of large amounts of data. This block cipher
uses multi-dimensional states to generalize the design of Rijndael. Thus, while maintaining the benefits of the AES design, 3D operates on 512-bit blocks of data and can also be used as a cryptographic primitive in the cryptographic systems with the large internal states. Since its proposal in 2008, the cryptanalysis of 3D has been considered in several papers. While the previous impossible differential attacks on 3D cipher can analyze up to 10 rounds of the cipher, this paper, using a new 6-round impossible differential, presents an impossible differential attack on 11 rounds of 3D. The proposed distinguisher begins in the input of AddRoundKey operation of round 3, and ends in the output of ShiftRows of round 8. Results show that the proposed attack on 11-round of 3D cipher requires about 2501 chosen plaintexts and a time complexity of about 2495 11-round encryptions.