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The present study aims to investigate the distribution of meaning in the narrative space of Abu Torab Khosravi's novel "Rood Ravi" drawing on the views of Yuri Lotman (1922-1993), a prominent semiotician and founder of the Tartu-Moscow School of Semiotics. Lotman posits that active sign systems within specific social and geographical contexts derive their significative power from their interaction with a large body of signs present in the collective memory of the people of that context. In his book “Universe of the Mind” (Lotman, 1990), he refers to this conglomeration of signs as the "semiosphere," which he characterizes by features such as boundary, heterogeneity, and centrality. According to Lotman, significative density within the semiosphere is not uniform, and the density of meaning increases as one moves from peripheral regions to the center with cultural meta-structures charging more elements with meanings in the central regions. The study adopts a descriptive-analytical approach to investigate how temporal-spatial elements and character actions acquire meaning in the narrative space as the story progresses towards the center of Dar al-Miftah. The findings suggest that cultural meta-structures load more elements with signification in the central regions, resulting in a higher concentration of meanings in these areas.

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     The Oriental hornet, Vespa orientalis L. (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) is one of the most important and serious enemies of honeybees. In this study, the annual population dynamics and daily activity rhythm of Oriental hornet were examined, based on the number of adults trapped in an apiary located in Ahvaz (southwest of Iran) during a period of two years (January 2021 to December 2022). Samplings were performed using the box traps available in the market. The bait used in the traps was fresh chicken liver, with the traps checked daily in four time periods. The results revealed that the first overwintering queens (gynes) emerged in March and two population peaks of newly emerged hornet workers occurred during the year, one in July and the other in October. In late November and early December, no adult hornet was trapped. The daily activity rhythm of adult hornets was observed mostly during 9 - 12, almost twice as much as in the afternoon period (12 - 15). The lowest activity was recorded in the evening period and night (6 pm - 9 am). During both years of sampling, the seasonal abundance of adult hornets displayed a significant positive correlation with air temperature and a significant negative correlation with relative humidity. By comparing the result of our findings with other studies performed in the same and different climate zones, it can be hoped to present effective methods to control the population of V. orientalis, especially in areas that have extensive beekeeping.

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The larvae of a moth feeding on the citrus flowers specifically on, Citrus limon, were found in greenhouses in Mazandaran province (north of Iran) in April 2024. Based on the habitat preference, and the morphological features, larvae and pupae were identified as Prays citri (Millière, 1873) (Lepidoptera: Praydidae). This species was listed among the foreign quarantine pests of the country, according to the guide list for monitoring and tracking quarantine agents of Iran on 21 June 2024. It is one of the most harmful pests of citrus plants especially lemon, which is spreading rapidly and creepily in all areas in the world. Our recent evidence revealed the existence of this pest in a moderately wide area of the Iranian northern lemon greenhouses. Background information for a reliable identification of both adults and larvae, the taxonomic history, origin, distribution, host plants, damage, and management practices of the pest are also discussed. The occurrence of this pest is a warning for Iranian citrus orchards indicating a potential risk of its spread, particularly to the southern regions of the country.

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Environmental differences and similarities are the driving factor of travel and tourism; The Africa will be one of the main destinations for tourists in the future, with a great variety of tourist attractions, especially natural and historical. Available statistics show this fact well. All this can be a good opportunity to develop relations between Iran and African countries; Therefore, it is necessary to identify and introduce them to formulate strategic plans. Tourism is a suitable field for the development of cooperation, and paying attention to tourism and including it in diplomatic programs and relations will help to expand relations and remove obstacles; Therefore, in diplomatic relations, serious planning for a more detailed understanding of Africa, including its tourism market, should be put on the agenda. The main purpose of this article is to introduce Africa's environmental capabilities in the field of tourism with reference to the continent's plans in this regard and to answer the question of how tourism can be an effective element in the development of relations between countries. The research method is documentary and library studies and referring to statistics and figures related to tourism to provide solutions for the development of bilateral and multilateral cooperation. The general result of the present research shows the absence of a written program from the I.R. Iran for the development of tourism with Africa. A special suggestion in this regard is to prioritize tourism as a phenomenon with socio-cultural, economic and even political dimensions in the macro plans.

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Powdery mildew is one of the most important disease concerns of tomato production in different regions of the world, which is caused by different species of Erysiphales. The most important causal agents of which are Leveillula taurica and Oidium neolycopersici. In the present study tomato farms in Qazvin province were surveyed and tomato leaves with powdery mildew symptoms were collected. After morphological studies in laboratory and using reliable resources, the causal agent of tomato powdery mildew was identified as Leveillula taurica. The host range was determined by inoculation of Leveillula taurica from tomato on nine species of plants belonging to four different plant families. All cultivars of tomato, eggplant, pepper and cucumber used in this study, showed disease symptoms on their leaf surfaces. Other plant species including potato, alfalfa, sunflower, clover and sainfoin did not get infected by the pathogen. The nucleotide divergence for the rDNA internal transcribed spacers (ITS) region between tomato mildew and 21 other Leveillula taurica isolates ranged from 0.00 to 0.031 %. The sequence of ITS region of Leveillula taurica from tomato was identical to that of eight isolates from different plant species.  

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Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) and Lasioderma serricorne F. are destructive pre-harvest and post-harvest pests of many plants in the family Solanaceae, and stored foodstuffs and non-food items, respectively. In this study, some biochemical characteristics of cellulase in the larval digestive tract of these pests were studied. Endo-β-1, 4-glucanase activity was measured against the substrate carboxyl methyl cellulose. Maximum activity of the enzyme in L. decemlineata and L. serricorne occurred at pH 7.0 and pH 6.0, respectively. The enzymes from L. decemlineata and L. serricorne were maximally stable at pH 7.0 and pH 5-6, respectively. However, the enzyme extracted from L. serricorne is more stable than that of L. decemlineata. Cellulase activity was in the highest level at 50 °C in both species. EDTA and SDS reduced cellulase activity, while the Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Na⁺ ions had a significant increasing effect on cellulase activity. K⁺ did not have any significant effect on the enzyme activity. The values of Km and Vmax were 0.608 % and 0.0187 µmol min^-1 mg^-1 protein in L. decemlineata, and 0.99 %, and 0.0035 µmol min^-1 mg^-1 protein in L. serricorne, respectively. Zymogram studies revealed two bands of cellulase activity in the digestive tract of both species.  

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Aims: The presence of a patient with breast cancer in the family can be considered as a guidance for further prevention and increase the susceptibility of people against this disease. Champion's health belief model scale is translated and tested in different countries, but few attempts have been made to measure this scale in women with history of breast cancer. Methods: After the standard Champion's Health Belief Model Scale was translated, 28 items were extracted with the help of panel of experts (n=13) and focus group (n=42) in four subscales. The eligible women were selected randomly (n=200) and took part in this study. The participants filled in the questionnaire through interviews. To test the construct validity of the data, the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was applied using AMOS software, moreover, test of internal consistency and test of reliability were applied by retesting (n=30). Findings: The confirmatory factor analysis, which, was repeated after omitting these two items for the subscale of perceived barriers and shows the proper fit of its structural model. Cronbach 'alpha coefficients were 0.72 (susceptibility), 0.75 (seriousness), 0.82 (benefits) and 0.76 (barriers). Internal consistency ranged from 0 .64 to 0 .79 and test-retest reliability correlation were from 0 .67 to 0.92. Conclusions: The Persian version of the Champion's Health Belief Model Scale can be a reliable and valid measure in Iranian women with family history of breast cancer.

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Background: Accumulation of triglycerides in the liver i.e. steatosis, is a well-known side-effect of tamoxifen administration to patients suffering from breast cancer. Cichoriumintybus (chicory) is a plant used as traditional medicine for curing liver disorders. In this study, the effects of extract prepared from chicory roots on tamoxifen-induced liver steatosis and related biochemical factors in animal model using rats has been investigated. Methods: Female rats of Wistar strain were divided into four groups and treated as follows; 1-Control: received vehicle; 2- Chicory root-extract treated: rats were given by gavage the aqueous chicory root extract (1 g/kg body weight/day for 14 days).3- Tamoxifen-treated: rats received tamoxifen (1 mg/kg body weight/day, for 7 days). 4- Tamoxifen+chicory-group: animals received tamoxifen (1 mg/kg body weight/day for 7 days) followed by chicory extract given by gavage (1 g/kg body weight/day for 14 days). After treatment, blood was collected by cardiac puncher, plasma was separated and plasma levels of glucose, total protein, triglyceride, cholesterol,LDL-C, HDL-C and activities of ALT, AST and ALP were measured. Liver tissues were homogenized used for measuring tissue triglyceride and histological examinations. Results: The data show that tamoxifen treatment caused a significant decrease in the level of serum cholesterol, HDL-C and total protein. However, serum ALT level was increased in tamoxifen-treated rats compared to controls. Increased serum ALT in tamoxifen-treated rats was recovered in rats treated with plant extract (tamoxifen+chicory-group). HDL-C and total protein levels were unaffected in rats fed chicory extracts. Tamaxifen-treated animals showed signs of liver steatosis as shown by histological examination and accumulation liver triglyceride. The steatosis markers such as accumulated triglyceride in liver was significantly reduced due to the plant extract treatments when compared to tamoxifen-group. Conclusions: Dietary extract prepared from chicory roots is effective in modulation of  tamoxifen-induced liver damage and steatosis.

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Fungi belonging to the Mycosphaerella s. l. are widely distributed all over the world. Most taxa cause leaf spot diseases, and have considerable impact on cultivation of many economically important crops. On Eucalyptus species, for example, Mycosphaerella leaf spots are one of the major diseases responsible for severe damage in most parts of the word especially outside of their native cultivation range. Mycosphaerella leaf blotches on Eucalyptus have little been studied in Iran. During a study on fungi associated with leaf spots on Eucalyptus spp. several specimens of mitosporic fungi which have been collected from Guilan province were examined and two species viz. Kirramyces epicoccoides and Pseudocercospora eucalyptorum were found to be new records for Iran mycobiota. Moreover, another species of Pseudocercospora is described on Eucalyptus. This species is clearly distinguished from related taxa by its conidium morphology, and appears to represent a new species; however, due to complicated taxonomy of the genus Pseudocercospora (especially on Eucalyptus spp.) further information is required to confirm its taxonomical position.  

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Mercury levels in hepatopancreas, muscle and exoskeleton tissues of male and female green tiger prawn, P.semisulcatus, from the Persian Gulf were compared. Significantly higher levels (p<0.05) of mercury in female prawn and hepatopancreas tissue were encountered (p<0.05). Significantly higher concentration (p<0.05) of the mercury was also observed in summer than in winter season. This variation could result in internal biological cycle of the organism or variation in bioavailability of mercury in environment.

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The elm leaf beetle Xanthogaleruca luteola Müller (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is a serious pest of elm (Ulmus spp.) throughout Iran. In the present study, Lethal and sublethal effects of neem, Achook^® containing 0.03% azadirachtin, were assessed on mortality, growth, larval weight and feeding deterrence as well as enzymatic and non-enzymatic activities of third instar larvae of the elm leaf beetle. LC₅₀ and LC₃₀ values of the third instar larvae 48 h post treatment were estimated to be 3.3 and 2.25 ppm respectively. Observations showed higher mortality, increase in larval duration, sterilization of adults, reduction in weight and feeding deterrence after LC₃₀ and LC₅₀ treatments. Biochemical analysis showed changes in the amounts of biochemical components in the treated larvae after 48 h. In the treated larvae, activity level of alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase and α-amylase as enzymatic components and urea and cholesterol as non-enzymatic ones changed significantly in LC₅₀ and LC₃₀ treatments. Aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, protein, glycogen, and glucose levels decreased in these treatments. The activity level of detoxifying enzymes such as esterase A, esterase B and glutathione S-transferase were significantly affected. Hence, neem is suggested as a safe product that may have the potential for use as a bioinsecticide in integrated pest management of urbanelms where use of chemical insecticides are discouraged.

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Sooty molds are a group of fungi with dark-coloured hyphae, which grow saprophytically on various living plant organs and sometimes on non-living substrates and produce brown to black superficial colonies, black pellicles or pseudoparenchymatous crust. In north of Iran including Guilan and Mazandaran provinces, sooty molds are common on living leaves of a great variety of plants especially Citrus spp. There are a few sporadic reports of sooty mold fungi from Iran in the literature. In continuation of an earlier investigation, sooty molds from different citrus species collected from western parts of Mazandaran province and specimens obtained from fungal collection at University of Guilan were studied. As a result, five mitosporic species viz., Chaetasbolisia falcata, Cylindroxyphium virginianum, Fumiglobus citrinus, Fumiglobus foedus and Polychaeton tenellum, and one ascomyceteous species Phaeosaccardinula epicarpa, were identified as causal agents of sooty mold on citrus plants in this region. According to the literature, all of the above mentioned taxa are new to Iran mycobiota.

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Background: The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profiles of the main bacteria which are responsible forurinary tract, blood stream, cerebrospinal fluid, lower respiratory tract, and wound infections in Hamadan province in the west of Iran.
Materials and Methods:In this study,a total of 773 urinary tract, 273 blood stream, 13 cerebrospinal fluid, 408 respiratory tract, and 147 wound positive samples were collected from patients who referred toBesat hospital from April 2013 to October 2014.Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by Modified Disk Diffusion Method (MDDM) against different classes of antibiotic.
Results: The most common pathogens isolatedfrom urine tract, blood stream, cerebrospinal fluid, lower respiratory tract, and wound infections wereE. coli 425 (54.9%),S. aureus 68 (24.9%),Klebsiellaspp. 3 (23%), P. aeruginosa 110 (26.9%), and S. aureus 30 (20.4%) respectively.The overall prevalence of resistance to the antimicrobial agents testedin various clinical specimens is discussed in this study.
Conclusion: The high resistancerate was observed in our study to most used antibiotics. Therefore, setting up a comprehensive surveillance systemis need to evaluate the distribution of organisms isolated and their drug resistance pattern over different period of time and place of Iran.

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Ozone is a powerful oxidant capable of killing insects and microorganisms and has been used in the food processing industry in the gaseous and aqueous states. In a laboratory study, the susceptibility of immature stages of an important stored-product pest, the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella Hubner to ozonated water was investigated. Ozone was applied in aqueous form at four concentrations (0, 2, 3 and 5 ppm) for four different periods (30, 60, 90 and 120 min) on eggs, larvae and pupae of, P. interpunctella. The results indicated that in all tested stages, the rate of mortality increased with increasing of concentration and exposure time. This study showed that 5-day old larvae were more susceptible than other stages (12-, 17-day old larvae, pupae and eggs) when exposed to 5 ppm ozone for 120 min. Following 5-day old larvae, 12-day old larvae, 17-day old larvae and pupae had the highest sensitivity to ozonation. At the highest concentration of ozone for the longest time, the least mortality rate was recorded for one day old eggs. According to these preliminary results, ozonated water has potential of reducing population density of P. interpunctella, one of the most important pests of dried fruits such as date, almond and pistachio, in storage.

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Aims: This research deals with the delicacies and complexities of recreating the historical cemeteries of cities. In this regard, it tries to know the obvious, hidden dimensions, layers and components in the deep levels of perception by reviewing lived experiences.
Methods: This research is qualitative and has a phenomenological approach. In this way, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted in Kusenbach's innovative method and in five axes, and also supplementary questionnaires were distributed to record, receive and analyze the meanings of the lived experiences of the landscape visitors.
Findings: The lived experiences of historical landscape cemeteries were studied in five axes: "Reference, ideal image, activity, improvement and mental dimensions" and showed that historical cemeteries have multidimensional qualities and a great variety, multiplicity and complexity in the perceptual layers.
Conclusion: If the role of the cemetery is reduced to the necessary urban infrastructure and becomes only a place for burying the bodies, then the connection between the world of the living and the dead is cut off, and turning it into a landfill for urban waste outside the city. Because of having valuable structures and elements, originality and hidden values that show the interaction of culture and nature over time, and these values preserve the identity and collective memories and historical memory of society, the protection of the historical landscape is very sensitive. Therefore, it is impossible to re-read these features in the re-creation of the cemetery without analyzing the deep perceptual layers hidden in the soul of this place.

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Problem statement: In fact, urban streets as the most important part of the urban landscape structure, reflect the values ​​and socio-cultural relations of citizens and can well facilitate or influence the possibility of living in the city and social interactions. Therefore, moving towards vibrant urban spaces is even more necessary in cities, despite the dynamic and human-centered public spaces that provide the ground for the active presence of human beings in the environment. Aim: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of humanistic urban landscape in the vitality of Tabriz city streets from the perspective of citizens.
Methods: The research is descriptive-analytical with an applied purpose. Snowball method was used to determine the sample size. SPSS software and ANP method were used to analyze the data. Results: The results obtained from the final analysis of selected research spaces based on humanistic landscape components and quality of life show that the range of Shariati to Ghonga intersection with a normal weight of 0.498 is more consistent with the extracted qualities.
Conclusion: The final results of the weights showed that the highest average goes back to the criterion of biological urban elements and the views of the streets of Tabriz affect the perception of citizens and their interpretation and reading of the environment. Also, the results obtained from the final analysis of the selected spaces of the research based on the components of humanistic perspective and quality of vitality, are more in line with the extracted qualities.
 

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This study aimed to investigate the role of behavioral sciences in the management and promotion of students' physical activity and sports participation behavior. This research is in the category of applied knowledge development research and was conducted by a descriptive method. The study population consisted of all students in the country in each degree and field of study, which was conducted with a sample size of 400 people. Samples were randomly selected. Data collection tools were three questionnaires including demographic information, the third part of the questionnaire (GPAQ) of the World Health Organization, which was designed to measure participation in sports activities, and a questionnaire on the role of behavioral sciences on sports participation behavior (α = 0.87). Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, Friedman ranking test, independent t-test, and multiple linear regression test. The results showed that behavioral sciences affect sports participation behavior. There is a positive and significant relationship between them and prioritizing behavioral science components on sports participation behavior, including beliefs and concerns, attitudes, habits and lifestyle, health literacy, self-perception; perception is the consumption of others. Also, there is not much difference between men and women in their physical activity and sports from behavioral sciences.

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Microcerotermes diversus Silvestri (Isoptera: Termitidae) is the most economically destructive wood pest in structures in Khuzestan province (Iran). Chemicals such as essential oils and plant extracts that are compatible with the environment and have high potential to be used in integrated pest management programs are extremely important resources. This study evaluated contact and digestive toxicity of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehneh. (Myrtaceae)essential oil in no-choice and choice bioassays and feeding inhibition trials on M. diversus. Concentrations of the essential oil ranged from 0.3 to 1.6%. The results of the choice tests and feeding inhibition trial showed that the essential oil could act as a repellent at 0.7% concentration. Concentrations used in these tests resulted in mortality of termites, and a direct relationship between concentration and mortality was observed. The essential oil also increased the mortality of termites at concentrations higher than 0.7%. Termite feeding decreased with increase in concentration. Due to the ability of termites to choose the untreated filter-paper in the choice trial, values of LT and LC, were higher than in no-choice trials. The highest effects of Eucalyptus essential oil (≈100% mortality) was obtained by the concentration 1.6%. Overall, this study reveals that Eucalyptus essential oil may be suggested as an effective toxicant with suitable contact and digestive toxicity on M. diversus.  

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The toxicity of imidacloprid and pirimicarb for all stages of the melon aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover, were investigated under laboratory conditions (25 ± 1 ^oC, 65 ± 5% R.H. and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L: D) h.) using a leaf dipping method. These pesticides were very toxic for first instar nymphs of A. gossypii with LC₅₀ values of 17 and 220.2 ppm for imidacloprid and pirimicarb, respectively. For other nymphal instars, values of 23.9 to 70.5 ppm and 308.8 to 781.7 ppm were recorded for imidacloprid and pirimicarb respectively. Their LC₅₀ values for adults were 90.1 and 983.1 ppm, respectively. Toxicity decreased with increasing age. Imidacloprid was more toxic than pirimicarb for all stages of development. The effect of applying sublethal concentrations of imidacloprid and pirimicarb was evaluated, also, using demographic toxicology. Longevity and population growth parameters, including intrinsic rate of increase (r_m), net reproductive rate (R₀), generation time (T_c) and finite rate of population increase (λ), were affected negatively by both insecticides. The r_m values for control, imidacloprid and pirimicarb exposed populations were 0.438, 0.150 and 0.335 female offspring per female per day, respectively. The doubling time (DT) also, was affected by imidacloprid. Overall, these results suggest that imidacloprid and pirimicarb can be effective against A. gossypii.  

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Multidrug resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii is a growing public health concern all over the world. In the current study, the isolation and antimicrobial resistance pattern and detection of blaOXA-51 and lpxC genes by multiplex PCR method was performed.
All the isolates demonstrated high levels of resistance rates to amikacin, ciprofloxacin, meropenem, imipenem, ceftriaxone, gentamicin, and colistin. Screening of two resistance genes by multiplex PCR showed that all the isolates contained blaOXA-51 and lpxC genes. As we previously reported, nosocomial infections caused by A. baumannii isolates are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in our hospital.