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Volume 0, Issue 0 (2-2024)
Abstract
The present study aims to investigate the aggregate analysis of linguistic variables of South Ruedbar language varieties in Kerman province by using the dialectometry and mapping software package with a quantitative and holistic approach. Data collection has been done from 22 sites from the south seven cities of Kerman province. For this purpose, a questionnaire containing 208 words and 10 basic sentences based on ‘National Language Atlas Project Questionnaire of Iran’ and ‘Morris Swadesh basic list words’ are used. The validity of mentioned questionnaire was 0.98 based on Cronbach’s alpha test. The results of aggregate analysis showed that 6 major dialect clusters are distinct and these dialect clusters are divided into subclusters. Each of these dialect clusters has distinct phonetical, phonological, morphological, or syntactical features that set it apart from other clusters. Based on statistical analysis, the ‘A’ dialect cluster due to the use of the continuous prefix /mi-/ and plural suffix /-hɑ/ in comparison to other clusters has the highest similarity and the ‘B’ cluster in cases such as the use of the infinitive suffix /-eng/ and continuous suffix /-æ/ has the highest difference in terms of morphology and syntacticity with the standard Persian. The ‘J’, ‘D’, ‘H’ and ‘V’ dialect clusters despite their distinction from the standard Persian, as the use of the continuous prefix /-ʔæ/ and plural suffix /-on/, are most similar to Aeach other and in terms of phonetic process and the presence of South Ruedbar variety special phones are similar to ‘B’cluster.
Volume 0, Issue 0 (2-2024)
Abstract
Every country has different languages. Some are standard, while others are non-standard. This research looks at how often people in Iran use standard and non-standard language. It also looks at other factors like age, gender, education, occupation, and income. It also looks at how people feel about different language groups. The data were collected from 314 people in 10 Iranian ethnic groups living in Tehran. They were analyzed using SPSS software and Foucault's theories of power and discourse silence. The results show that people over 50 use their native language or dialect more because they have more social power. Men have replaced non-standard language with standard language. As education level rises, people use less non-standard language. Non-criteria type is more common among retirees than other occupations. Those with a strong financial status have replaced non-criteria type with the criterion type. Those with a weak financial status have the most non-criteria type speech silence. Speakers of languages with strong attitudes toward language use are less likely to speak up in many social situations. They often use non-standard language instead of standard language.
Volume 0, Issue 0 (2-2024)
Abstract
This study investigated the construct validity and measurement invariance of the Teacher Emotion Questionnaire to introduce a valid and reliable instrument for assessing English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) teachers’ emotions inside the classroom. Second language (L2) teacher emotions have been largely neglected, despite the fact that Educational Psychology has long recognized and researched the role of teacher emotions in different aspects of teaching and learning. To bridge this gap, the current study had 208 Iranian EFL teachers in private language institutes fill out the Teacher Emotion Questionnaire (TEQ), which assessed six emotions teachers experience in their classroom, i.e., Joy, Pride, Love, Anger, Fatigue/Exhaustion, and Hopelessness. The preliminary analysis of the data showed that six items from the TEQ had a factor loading below the minimum recommended level of 0.3, meaning that they contributed to the total variance in the participants’ score less than expected. The collected data were then submitted to confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for the purpose of construct validation and establishment of the factorial structure of the TEQ. The CFA results indicated that the hypothesized six-factor analysis had more favorable goodness-of-fit indices than both a one-factor structure and a two-factor structure (e.g., positive versus negative emotions). Multilevel CFA revealed that the tested six-factor structure of the TEQ was invariant across male and female EFL teachers. The implications for the use of TES in EFL teaching contexts are discussed, and some suggestions are proposed for further validation of the TEQ in language teaching contexts.
Volume 0, Issue 0 (2-2024)
Abstract
In corpus stylistics, computational tools are used to conduct qualitative and quantitative analyses of the electronic corpora of literary works, through which the stylistic components of the texts are identified. This study aimed to determine the stylistic features of the works of Simin Daneshvar and Ebrahim Golestan using a corpus-based approach. For this purpose, the works of these two writers were examined using corpus analysis tools, including keyword and concordance analysis in the AntConc software. After extracting the positive keywords in these works, each keyword was examined in its real context in the concordance menu, and a semantic classification was performed based on their semantic domains. The examination and comparison of the positive keywords showed that the semantic domains of "social behavior, work and profession, state and grammar" are common in the works of both writers. This commonality from a stylistic perspective can be related to similar social norms and behaviors, as well as the similar time and place of life and growth of the two writers. Golestan's works are writer-centered, while Daneshvar's works are reader-oriented. Daneshvar's story characters are much more numerous (14 names with a frequency of 504) compared to Golestan, who used only 3 names with a frequency of 107. In Golestan's stories, there is no reference to religion semantic domain, while in Daneshvar's stories, this domain is addressed. Daneshvar establishes a greater connection with the characters in her stories by mentioning specific individuals.
Volume 0, Issue 0 (1-2024)
Abstract
The sugar beet moth, Scrobipalpa ocellatella (Boyd) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is one of the most serious threats to sugar beet cultivation worldwide causing economically significant yield loss. The life table parameters of S. ocellatella were determined on eight sugar beet cultivars (Dorothea, Ekbatan, Merak, Palma, Rozier, SBSI 007, Sharif and Shokoofa) under laboratory conditions at 25±1oC, 60±5% RH and 16:8 h (L:D) photoperiod. The longest (15.29 days) and shortest (7.61 days) female longevity was recorded on Shokoofa, and Merak cultivars, respectively. At the same time, Shokoofa and Merak cultivars had the highest and lowest total fecundity (85.26 eggs/female) and (32.39 eggs/female), respectively. The net reproductive rate (R0) varied from 9.31 eggs/individual to 39.44 eggs/individual on eight sugar beet cultivars; the lowest value was on Merak and the highest value was on Shokoofa. The highest intrinsic rate of increase (r) (0.102 d-1) and finite rate of increase (λ) (1.107 d-1) were on the Shokoofa cultivar. The results showed that all life table parameters of S. ocellatella were significantly different on the sugar beet cultivars tested. According to the conducted laboratory experiments, Merak was the most resistant cultivar to S. ocellatella compared with the other cultivars tested.
Volume 0, Issue 0 (1-2024)
Abstract
Extension field staff is the group of people who are responsible for managing activities related to agricultural information dissemination and farming community is the recipient or audience of that knowledge by implementing this knowledge on farm, farming community may enhance their farm productivity and uplift socio-economic situation. The Present study was based on primary data, collected from agricultural extension field staff (EFS) using interview schedule in cotton belt of Punjab province. Three hundred and fifty-nine (359) extension field staff workers were selected from population of five hundred and forty (540) by using Cochran sampling technique. Moreover, Borich needs assessment model was implied to prioritize the training needs of EFS about climate adaptation. Study found that majority of the EFS seek trainings in specific areas regarding climate variability including; skills to use meteorological instrument, ability to comprehend early warning system, serving and mapping of climatic variability areas, management of ICT tools for weather forecasting, disaster management skills, and integrated soil management skills by acquiring these competencies they can effectively and efficiently work for minimizing the consequences of climate variability on cotton crop. There was significant positive correlation of 0.608 between specialization and possessed competencies regarding climate adaptation which shows that specialized extension staff possessed competencies regarding climate adaptation. On the basis of findings study suggests that the training needs of the extension field workers should be assessed regularly regarding various latest techniques and technologies. Training sessions regarding climate variability adaptation should be arranged for extension workers of cotton belt.
Dr Soheil Roudari, Dr Hamidreza Maghsoudi, Dr Farzaneh Ahmadian-Yazdi,
Volume 0, Issue 0 (12-2024)
Volume 0, Issue 0 (12-2024)
Abstract
Aim and Introduction
One of the most important issues in Iran's economy is related to managing the exchange rate, inflation and budget deficit. During tightening of the sanctions, the oil revenues are limited which potentially leads to an increase in the budget deficit as well as a decrease in the currency supply which accelerates the exchange rate. On the other hand, with the increase in the budget deficit, the probability of borrowing from the banking system and also the issuance of bonds increases, which in turn rise the monetary base and liquidity. In addition, inflationary expectations also increase, which can be effective in improving assets prices. With an increase in inflation, based on the inflation-currency spiral, there is a possibility of a grow in exchange rate in order to maintain the competitiveness of domestic production. This can accelerate the price of imported commodities and cause domestic inflation again. With the increase in inflation and households spending, nominal wages will have a higher growth compared to normal conditions in order to maintain minimum purchasing power, which can again face the government with limited resources and more borrowing to meet current expenses. From the monetarists’ point of view and the classical economics, in general, the main stimulator in increasing inflation is the growth of money and liquidity. However, from the post-Keynesian economists’ point of view, inflation increases the demand of money and subsequently liquidity. On the other hand, with an increase in the exchange rate, the government's expenses usually increase more than its income, which can lead to an increase in the government's budget deficit. Also, considering the existence of a monopoly in currency supply by the central bank, the hypothesis of using currency exchange revenues (the difference between free and budget-approved currency) will be applicable and this issue can raise the impact of the budget deficit on the exchange rate. Therefore, there has always been a serious challenge among economists as well as macroeconomic decision-makers about the connectedness between macroeconomic variables. What is the main driver of the network between macro variables? Is there a different way of communication in different thresholds of their growth rate? These cases show that it is very important to examine the time-varying interrelationships between these macroeconomic variables.
Accordingly, there is a complex connection between exchange rate, inflation, budget deficit and liquidity, which can be varied in different years. Therefore, in this research, using the TVP-TVAR technique, the time-varying connectedness across exchange rate, inflation, budget deficit and liquidity is examined during March, 2006 to August, 2023.
Methodology
In the current research, the relationship between exchange rate fluctuations, inflation, government budget deficit and liquidity based on monthly data using the TVP-TVAR technique is investigated. It should be noted that all the required information is extracted from the economic indicators of the central bank, and the government's budget deficit data from 2017 onward are extracted from Iran's Program and Budget Organization.
Findings
The results show that exchange rate and liquidity are, respectively, the largest net transmitter of volatilities in the network. Moreover, inflation rate and government budget deficit, respectively, are the largest net receivers of shocks from network. On average, the TCI is 23%, and more than 70% of this interrelationship between variables is explained by other factors such as political ones. Moreover, if the variables underestimated grow up to 36% annually (3% monthly), the connection between them will be cut off. In the conditions of decreasing the growth rate of variables up to -3% per month, the exchange rate has played a dominant role and its volatilities are transferred more strongly to inflation rate and less strongly to the budget deficit and liquidity.
If the growth rate of the variables is up to 24% annually (threshold of +2% monthly growth rate), the exchange rate volatilities are transferred to inflation and no interconnectedness between other variables is observed.
Discussion and Conclusion
Our results show that, on average, the total connectedness index from 2012 to 2016 has been upward, which is caused by the tightening of sanctions and the increase in inflationary expectations, psychological factors and emotions. Moreover, the connectedness between them is increased in 2018 and 2019, which is related to the intensification of sanctions and the reduction of currency supply and the increase in inflation and budget deficit and subsequently the increase in the issuance of debt securities in the capital market in order to manage the budget deficit and as a result increase liquidity. The results show that exchange rate is a main net transmitter of volatilities in most years and the inflation rate is a main net receiver of volatilities in many years. From 2016 onwards, the budget deficit is the net receiver of shocks from network in most periods, except for one period in 2019. It is interesting to note that in 2019, with the increase in the budget deficit and the issuance of debt securities, the budget deficit is transmitter, liquidity is receiver and inflation is more receiver variable than liquidity in the network. Totally, the results show that exchange rate is the major net transmitter of shocks to other macro variables.
Moreover, based on the results of the sensitivity analysis and thresholds effect, if the growth rate of variables is up to 24% annually (threshold of +2% monthly growth rate), the exchange rate fluctuations will be transferred to inflation and no connection between other components is observed. This shows that the macroeconomic management of the economy is very sensitive to the growth rate of the thresholds of the macroeconomic components, and before the political economy and also the factors of expectations and emotions dominated the economy, the macroeconomic management, especially the exchange rate, is required. Otherwise, it is impossible to manage the investigated variables with monetary and fiscal policies. Therefore, the managed floating exchange rate should be taken into consideration and if the goal is to manage the network using macroeconomic theories, the variables should not be allowed to increase by more than 24% annual growth. Other factors such as the political economy, and especially inflationary expectations will get the dominant role in the economy
One of the most important issues in Iran's economy is related to managing the exchange rate, inflation and budget deficit. During tightening of the sanctions, the oil revenues are limited which potentially leads to an increase in the budget deficit as well as a decrease in the currency supply which accelerates the exchange rate. On the other hand, with the increase in the budget deficit, the probability of borrowing from the banking system and also the issuance of bonds increases, which in turn rise the monetary base and liquidity. In addition, inflationary expectations also increase, which can be effective in improving assets prices. With an increase in inflation, based on the inflation-currency spiral, there is a possibility of a grow in exchange rate in order to maintain the competitiveness of domestic production. This can accelerate the price of imported commodities and cause domestic inflation again. With the increase in inflation and households spending, nominal wages will have a higher growth compared to normal conditions in order to maintain minimum purchasing power, which can again face the government with limited resources and more borrowing to meet current expenses. From the monetarists’ point of view and the classical economics, in general, the main stimulator in increasing inflation is the growth of money and liquidity. However, from the post-Keynesian economists’ point of view, inflation increases the demand of money and subsequently liquidity. On the other hand, with an increase in the exchange rate, the government's expenses usually increase more than its income, which can lead to an increase in the government's budget deficit. Also, considering the existence of a monopoly in currency supply by the central bank, the hypothesis of using currency exchange revenues (the difference between free and budget-approved currency) will be applicable and this issue can raise the impact of the budget deficit on the exchange rate. Therefore, there has always been a serious challenge among economists as well as macroeconomic decision-makers about the connectedness between macroeconomic variables. What is the main driver of the network between macro variables? Is there a different way of communication in different thresholds of their growth rate? These cases show that it is very important to examine the time-varying interrelationships between these macroeconomic variables.
Accordingly, there is a complex connection between exchange rate, inflation, budget deficit and liquidity, which can be varied in different years. Therefore, in this research, using the TVP-TVAR technique, the time-varying connectedness across exchange rate, inflation, budget deficit and liquidity is examined during March, 2006 to August, 2023.
Methodology
In the current research, the relationship between exchange rate fluctuations, inflation, government budget deficit and liquidity based on monthly data using the TVP-TVAR technique is investigated. It should be noted that all the required information is extracted from the economic indicators of the central bank, and the government's budget deficit data from 2017 onward are extracted from Iran's Program and Budget Organization.
Findings
The results show that exchange rate and liquidity are, respectively, the largest net transmitter of volatilities in the network. Moreover, inflation rate and government budget deficit, respectively, are the largest net receivers of shocks from network. On average, the TCI is 23%, and more than 70% of this interrelationship between variables is explained by other factors such as political ones. Moreover, if the variables underestimated grow up to 36% annually (3% monthly), the connection between them will be cut off. In the conditions of decreasing the growth rate of variables up to -3% per month, the exchange rate has played a dominant role and its volatilities are transferred more strongly to inflation rate and less strongly to the budget deficit and liquidity.
If the growth rate of the variables is up to 24% annually (threshold of +2% monthly growth rate), the exchange rate volatilities are transferred to inflation and no interconnectedness between other variables is observed.
Discussion and Conclusion
Our results show that, on average, the total connectedness index from 2012 to 2016 has been upward, which is caused by the tightening of sanctions and the increase in inflationary expectations, psychological factors and emotions. Moreover, the connectedness between them is increased in 2018 and 2019, which is related to the intensification of sanctions and the reduction of currency supply and the increase in inflation and budget deficit and subsequently the increase in the issuance of debt securities in the capital market in order to manage the budget deficit and as a result increase liquidity. The results show that exchange rate is a main net transmitter of volatilities in most years and the inflation rate is a main net receiver of volatilities in many years. From 2016 onwards, the budget deficit is the net receiver of shocks from network in most periods, except for one period in 2019. It is interesting to note that in 2019, with the increase in the budget deficit and the issuance of debt securities, the budget deficit is transmitter, liquidity is receiver and inflation is more receiver variable than liquidity in the network. Totally, the results show that exchange rate is the major net transmitter of shocks to other macro variables.
Moreover, based on the results of the sensitivity analysis and thresholds effect, if the growth rate of variables is up to 24% annually (threshold of +2% monthly growth rate), the exchange rate fluctuations will be transferred to inflation and no connection between other components is observed. This shows that the macroeconomic management of the economy is very sensitive to the growth rate of the thresholds of the macroeconomic components, and before the political economy and also the factors of expectations and emotions dominated the economy, the macroeconomic management, especially the exchange rate, is required. Otherwise, it is impossible to manage the investigated variables with monetary and fiscal policies. Therefore, the managed floating exchange rate should be taken into consideration and if the goal is to manage the network using macroeconomic theories, the variables should not be allowed to increase by more than 24% annual growth. Other factors such as the political economy, and especially inflationary expectations will get the dominant role in the economy
Volume 0, Issue 2 (8-2011)
Abstract
The relationship between topography, soil factors, and distribution of ecological vegetation groups in the Nodoushan arid rangelands of Yazd province (Iran) was investigated. The present species were recorded in each vegetation group using a randomized-systematic sampling method. Plant cover and density were estimated quantitatively using the transect and quadrate methods, and the two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN), after which vegetation was classified into different groups. Soil samples were taken from 0–30 cm in each quadrat. In each vegetation group, 20 environmental variables including altitude, slope, aspect, percentage of bare rock, grazing intensity, percentage of gravel, soluble ions (Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+), total nitrogen, organic matter, lime, gypsum, EC, pH, and percentage of sand, silt and clay were measured. Multivariate techniques including detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) were used to analyze the collected data. The results showed that the vegetation distribution was related to elevation, slope, and soil characteristics such as texture, organic matter, gypsum, acidity, lime, and gravity percentage.
Volume 1, Issue 1 (1-2013)
Abstract
Riddles (Chistan) is one of the genres of Iranians official literature and cultures. Riddle (Crux) is a kind of fun literary work, which has educational and cultural function too. This genre has many different forms and names in the local literature of different regions of Iran; some of which include: Chyzchyzk, Mattaloukeh, Vagoushak, Teshlanouk, Chachak, Chenchen, Chucheh, Chichiki, Chawcheh, Mataal, Mas’aleh, Tapmajalar, and alik. This paper examines the literary and artistic aspects of this genre, and explains its corresponding themes. In addition to finding its formal and semantic structure and morphology in different areas of iran, we further investigate types, functions and themes, and analyze the implications of Riddles. The study of this literal genre in our folklore will familiarize us with various ways of exploiting our free times, and on how prepare and educate our children and teenagers so that they enter the real-life arena.
Volume 1, Issue 1 (10-2011)
Abstract
Considering the vast changes in different aspects of life and various ways of earning livelihood, flexibility in contemporary housing design can be regarded as an appropriate solution in order to prevent from discreteness in interactions within the society and environment and among people. That is because a residence must be designed according to the changing needs of modern human. Traditional houses in Iran have already contained this concept, in modern era however, such viewpoint towards housing cannot be seen so often. Flexibility refers to the idea of adaptation throughout the time. Therefore it can be said that a flexible settlement is a house that can be adapted with the needs of the users and will lead to understanding the users’ expected demands with their own cooperation. Peoples’ cooperation in this process will increase the possibility of adaptation of housing with their needs which will eventually increase the general satisfaction of the housing. This research discusses the issue of flexibility and the related concepts in the field of housing with emphasis on some residential projects. Every settlement is depended on its user and the ground for its adaptation. Therefore, in terms of general design, we can say that settlement is dependent on both the environment and the user. Since human beings normally demand variety and monotonous environmental conditions make human beings unsatisfied and bored; they usually have a favorable and positive view towards changes in their living environment. These varieties can range from some minor changes up to basic ones such as a change in the residential house itself. Flexibility in architectural design indicates variety. Such variety includes the possibility of adjustment and compatibility of a residential unit throughout time. It will eventually lead the building to show new varieties of its own. In order to demonstrate flexibility, the architects have to put the probable needs of the users into consideration in the process of designing. In other words, a “long-term thought” is required in designing.Flexibility in housing can be investigated from two points of views: first, from users’ point of view and secondly the innovative construction. Designing consists of four main issues: (1) structural system; (2) servicing spaces; (3) architectural design; and (4) facilities for environmental flexibility. The present study tries to express the concept of flexibility as a “new form of challenging architecture”. This is done using some examples and instances. From such viewpoint, the goal this study tries to attain is to survey the limitations and boundaries of flexible designing. This is done by analyzing the selected items. This way, the architect can turn flexibility into an opportunity and produce creative options in his/her work and design. The present study was conducted using library-based method and case study with the aim of studying and discussing the conceptual and operational grounds of housing design in different countries. The structure and main framework of the present study stands on the idea that flexibility can be used for housing development in all eras and periods as a general concept and includes different types itself.
Volume 1, Issue 1 (3-2014)
Abstract
Linguistic stylistics is one of the modern linguistic approaches to text analysis, which analyzes the unique expression style of a given text as well as the goal and effect of adopting that style. It is maintained in this approach that each text has specific linguistic features, which, on the one hand, gives uniqueness to the text, and makes the text categorized in a category with a number of other texts on the other. From stylistic point of view, regarding a number of shared features, two texts can be categorized in the same category, referred to as “text genre”. However, two texts can be distinguished based on a number of their features. Since text is the aim in translation, a process in which a text is rendered into another language, it is plausible to consider text translation as reconstructing the linguistic features of the source text to the form of target language elements in a relative way. In layer stylistics approach, text features are studied in five layers, namely phonological, lexical, grammatical, semantic, and pragmatic. On the basis of this approach, the present study focuss on the lexical layer of Ḥadīth texts, as one of the religious texts genre. We shall further deal with five aspects of the style-making lexical features of Ḥadīth texts; then we shall investigate the methods, challenges, and tools of reconstructing such features in Persian. In the present study, a number of Ḥadīth s of Behar-al-Anvar shall be analyzed as the special cases of our discussion.
Volume 1, Issue 1 (9-2003)
Abstract
This article is an effort to recognize the devil of “Az”_avarice- and its significance in Greek mythology and Zoroastrian texts as well as the worthy masterpiece of Ferdowsi_Shahnameh_ and the evil nature of this mighty and powerful devil the ways of fighting with whom have been discussed in some mythological and Zoroastrian sources.
The importance of Az’s presence in Shahnameh has been dealt with based on certain verses of Shahnameh . The author has tried his best to besides unveiling the avarice of a number of kings and heroes mentioned in Shahnameh, highlight the deceit of this treacherous evil. Those kings who successfully resisted the deceit of the devil and promoted justice, goodness and generosity have been introduced in the article as well.
In a nutshell, the article differentiates between avarice and greed and making the best of what life offers and other such issues.
Volume 1, Issue 2 (6-2012)
Abstract
The life table parameters of Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on four commercial cultivars of wheat (Kohdasht, Pastor, Tajan and Zagros) were determined in laboratory conditions. Fertility life table were constructed using age-specific survivorship (lx) and age-specific fecundity (mx) and subsequently analyzed using jackknife method and ANOVA. There were significant differences among pre-imaginal period and adult longevity of the aphid on the four wheat cultivars. The highest mortality occurred at first nymphal instar on all of wheat cultivars tested. The life expectancy (ex) of one-day-old adults was estimated to be 23.5, 24.6, 30.36 and 26.83 days on Kohdasht, Pastor, Tajan and Zagros, respectively. The gross reproductive rate was significantly higher on Tajan (102.39 ± 1.42 females/female/generation) compared with other three cultivars. The net reproductive rate (R0) significantly differed on different wheat cultivars examined. The R0-value was highest on Tajan (82.21 ± 1.21) and lowest on Zagros (38.23 ± 0.63 females/female/generation). The highest and lowest values of the intrinsic rate of increase (rm) were 0.276 ± 0.002 (on Pastor) and 0.222 ± 0.001 day-1 (on Zagros), respectively. The finite rate of increase (l) differed significantly among four wheat cultivars, ranging from 1.25 ± 0.00 (on Zagros) to 1.32 ± 0.00 days-1 (on Pastor). Doubling time ranged from 2.51 ± 0.02 (on Pastor) to 3.12 ± 0.02 days (on Zagros). The longest mean generation time (T) of the aphid was obtained on Tajan cultivar. The results showed that the Zagros cultivar had the highest antibiotic effect on population growth of S. graminum.
Volume 1, Issue 2 (6-2013)
Abstract
Evapotranspiration is one of the most important components of the hydrological cycle which is directly influenced by atmospheric conditions. This study investigated annual and seasonal trends in reference evapotranspiration (ET0) and its key influencing climatic variables during 1966-2005 at 10 stations in southern Iran (with centrality of Fars province). First, multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify the major meteorological variables affecting ET0. Second, annual and seasonal trends in climatic variables as well as ET0 were assessed using the Mann-Kendall test, Spearman's rho, the Pearson correlation and linear regression to evaluate their contribution to the temporal trend in ET0. Results suggested that the more effective variables for ET0 were wind speed (U2), relative humidity (RH) and sunshine hours (n). Also, the majority of trends in seasonal and annual ET0 were non-significant and after that decreasing and increasing trends had higher frequencies. In addition, distributions of relative frequencies of trend types at all considered time-scales were similar for both parametric and non-parametric techniques. Hence, the disagreement between parametric and non-parametric trend results did not depend on the degree of normality in the annual and seasonal ET0 distributions in the study area.
Volume 1, Issue 2 (9-2011)
Abstract
This study explored the position of Parsian Bank's financial resources. To achieve this objective. The capital structure of Parsian Bank in a seven years period (2004 to 2010) was evaluated from the financial statements of Parsian Bank.The First to third hypotheses of this study imply to optimizing of real capital structure and cost of resources and capital adequacy ratio. These hypotheses were evaluated by the framework to achieve optimal capital structure (in terms of capital adequacy ratio and deposits to the debt ratio and long-term deposits to total deposits) and optimized.The fourth hypothesis of this study implies that there is no correlation between capital structure and financing costs (capital costs) that was tested and confirmed by Pearson correlation coefficient. Finally, several recommendations are suggested for optimizing the capital structure of Parsian Bank and future researches.
Volume 1, Issue 2 (9-2011)
Abstract
This study explored the position of Parsian Bank's financial resources. To achieve this objective. The capital structure of Parsian Bank in a seven years period (2004 to 2010) was evaluated from the financial statements of Parsian Bank.The First to third hypotheses of this study imply to optimizing of real capital structure and cost of resources and capital adequacy ratio. These hypotheses were evaluated by the framework to achieve optimal capital structure (in terms of capital adequacy ratio and deposits to the debt ratio and long-term deposits to total deposits) and optimized.The fourth hypothesis of this study implies that there is no correlation between capital structure and financing costs (capital costs) that was tested and confirmed by Pearson correlation coefficient. Finally, several recommendations are suggested for optimizing the capital structure of Parsian Bank and future researches.
Volume 1, Issue 3 (10-2014)
Abstract
Background: Erythropoietin (EPO) is a glycoprotein hormone function to regulate the production of red blood cells. Deficiency of EPO is known to cause anemia in chronically infected renal patients and they require regular blood transfusion. Availability of recombinant EPO has eliminated the need for blood transfusion and now it is extensively used for the treatment of anemia. Glycosylation of erythropoietin is essential for its secretion, stability, protein conformation and biological activity. However, maintenance of human like glycosylation pattern during manufacturing of EPO is a major challenge in biotechnology. Currently, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line is used for the commercial production of erythropoietin but this cell line does not maintain glycosylation resembling human system. With the trend to eliminate non-human constituent from biopharmaceutical products, as a preliminary approach, we have investigated the potential of human emberyo kidney cell line (HEK293) to produce recombinant EPO. Methods: Initially, the secretory signal and Kozak sequences was added before the EPO mature protein sequence using overlap extension PCR technique. PCR-amplified cDNA fragments of EPO was inserted into mammalian expression vector under the control of the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter and transiently expressed in CHO and HEK293 cell lines. After RT-PCR analysis, ELISA and Western blotting was performed to verify the immunochemical properties of secreted EPO. Results: Addition of secretory signal and Kozak sequence facilitated the extra-cellular secretion and enhanced the expression of EPO protein. Significant expression (P < 0.05) of EPO was observed in the medium from HEK293 cell line. Conclusions: HEK293 cell line has a great potential to produce glycosylated EPO, suggesting the use of this cell line to produce glycoproteins of the therapeutic importance resembling to the natural human system.
Volume 1, Issue 3 (9-2023)
Abstract
This study focuses on determining the concentration of fluoride ions in selected hand-dug wells and investigating its health implications in Gwagwalada Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The necessity for this investigation arose from observed health issues, including dental and skeletal fluorosis among the residents in the area. Fifteen sampling points (well water sources) were chosen in the study area, and a total of forty-five samples (three per sampling point) were collected. The calorimetric water quality analysis method was employed to analyze these samples in the laboratory. Additionally, the Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation method was used to generate a spatial variation map for fluoride ion concentration using ArcMap. The results indicate a concentration range of 0.122 mg/L to 1.910 mg/L across the study area. When compared with the recommendations for fluoride ion concentration in the Nigeria Industrial Standard (NIS) for drinking water (0.1 – 1.0 mg/L), approximately 67% of the sampling points (10 out of 15) fall within the recommended values, while 33% fall outside. The areas with higher fluoride ion concentrations include Dupa 1, Dupa 2, Tunga Maje 1, Tunga Maje 2, and Old Kutunku 2. The study concludes that the observed dental and skeletal fluorosis in these areas can be attributed to the consumption of water with high fluoride concentrations. Consequently, the study recommends increased attention from both local and federal authorities to provide potable water for human consumption in these areas to address the associated health challenges.
Volume 1, Issue 3 (9-2023)
Abstract
Following years of contamination, rivers may experience significant levels of heavy metal pollution. Our research aims to pinpoint hazardous areas in these rivers. In our specific case, we focus on the floodplains of the Meuse River contaminated with zinc (Zn). Elevated zinc concentrations can lead to various health issues, including anemia, rashes, vomiting, and stomach cramping. However, due to limited sample data on zinc concentrations in the Meuse River, it becomes imperative to generate missing data in unidentified regions. This study employs universal Kriging in spatial data mining to investigate and predict unknown zinc pollutants. The semivariogram serves as a valuable tool for illustrating the variability pattern of zinc. To predict concentrations in unknown regions, the model captured is interpolated using the Kriging method. Employing regression with geographic weighting allows us to observe how stimulus-response relationships change spatially. Various semivariogram models, such as Matern, exponential, and linear, are utilized in our work. Additionally, we introduce Universal Kriging and geographically weighted regression. Experimental findings indicate that: (i) the Matern model, determined by calculating the minimum error sum of squares, is the most suitable theoretical semivariogram model; and (ii) the accuracy of predictions is visually demonstrated by projecting results onto a real map.
Volume 2, Issue 1 (3-2013)
Abstract
The influence of leaf pubescence of three wheat cultivars (Pishtaz, Ghuds and Falat) on preference and biological parameters of Sipha maydis (Passerini) was investigated under greenhouse conditions (25 ± 2 °C, 70 ± 10% RH and 14: 10 h (L: D) photoperiod). The results showed that Pishtaz had a greater density of trichomes compared to the other cultivars. In the preference test with whole plant, the number of aphids on Pishtaz was significantly greater than that on other cultivars at 48 hrs after infestation. Similarly, in the preference test on leaves, the numbers of attracted aphids per leaf was highest on Pishtaz. In the life table study, there was no significant difference of intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) among the three studied cultivars but it was highest on Pishtaz (0.187 /day). Aphids’ net reproductive rate, doubling time, mean generation time and finite rate of increases did not show significant differences between the tested cultivars. According to our results, leaf surface pubescence of wheat is not an effective resistance mechanism against S. maydis.