Showing 14 results for Bostan
Volume 4, Issue 2 (4-2012)
Abstract
Narrating the past history of Iranians, Ferdowsi'sShahnameh has transferred major elements of Iranian identity throughout the centuries. To identify Iranian vs. non-Iranian identity and the contexts leading to the creation of Shahnameh, the present paper has employed critical discourse analysis (CDA). The findings of a textual analysisof the story of Siavash indicate that the discourse of Iranian identity has been shaped through confrontation with that of Aniranian, and in both discourses, the political dimension of identity has been more important. Ferdowsi regards the political institute as the guardian of freedom and independence of Iran. In fact, taking into consideration the conditions of the time and the conquest of Iran by the Arabs and their dominance, Ferdowsi tried to propose his political ideas in "an ideal king". Enjoying divine charisma, justice and wisdom, the ideal king is the nodal point in the discourse of Iranian identity. In contrast, the king of Aniran has been delegitimized as the nodal point of Aniranian identity, lacking divne charisma, justice and wisdom.
Volume 5, Issue 3 (Summer 2019)
Abstract
Aims: Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive bacterium with the capability of causing a variety of nosocomial and community-acquired infections. Evaluating the genetic structure, polymorphism, genotyping, and phylogeny of S. aureus isolates could contribute to the prevention and treatment of infections caused by this microorganism.
Materials & Methods: In this study, the polymorphisms of 16S rRNA, rpoB, and hsp70 genes were investigated in a total of 50 S. aureus isolates using S. aureus NCTC 8325 as the reference strain. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for the detection and amplification of the studied genes. The amplicons were then sequenced using a Sanger sequencing method. Moreover, phylogeny of the isolates was studied using Neighbor-joining and Maximum Parsimony methods for 16S rRNA, rpoB, and hsp70 genes individually and in combination.
Findings: After Sanger sequencing, data obtained by Sequencher and Mesquite software programs revealed several polymorphisms of S. aureus isolates 16S rRNA, rpoB, and hsp70 genes, respectively. These polymorphisms included transversion, transition, insertion, and deletion. Among the studied strains, 10 cases showed no polymorphism. Multi-locus sequence analysis (MLSA) showed several genetic diversities in S. aureus isolates.
Conclusion: It seems essential to rapidly and reliably identify the phylogenetic sources and characteristics of this microorganism and to have a better understanding of its molecular epidemiology in order for infection practical surveillance and control.
Volume 9, Issue 1 (Winter 2021)
Abstract
Aims: The increasing rate of divorce has turned it into an important social dilemma, and this necessitates the need to pay attention to the factors related to adjustment after divorce. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between social exclusion and post-divorce adjustment in women.
Instrument & Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 474 divorced women in Rasht City participated. Sampling was performed in a convenience and Snow Ball method. Data collection tools were a three-part questionnaire including demographic information form, social exclusion questionnaire, and post-divorce adjustment questionnaire. Data analysis was performed by descriptive and inferential statistical tests at a significant level (p<0.05).
Findings: The highest and lowest scores of social exclusion were related to exclusionary marital status (3.50±0.66) and discriminative marital state (3.9±0.6), respectively. The highest and lowest adjustment scores were related to the areas of self-worth (3.34±0.40) and anger (2.90±0.43), respectively. The areas of horror (β=-0.067; p=0.008) and discriminative marital state (p=<0.001; β=-0.188) were predictors of adjustment. Also, lack of history of physical illness (p=0.024; β=0.145) and increased number of children (p=0.07; β=0.053) had a positive and direct effect on the adjustment.
Conclusion: There is a statistically significant inverse correlation between social exclusion and post-divorce adjustment of women, and therefore the study and development of educational-counseling intervention programs to increase social support can increase women’s adjustment after divorce.
Volume 10, Issue 3 (Summer 2022)
Abstract
Aims: This study aimed to determine the effect of educational intervention based on the BASNEF model on promoting the sexual health of married women of reproductive age.
Material & Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 52 eligible women. Sampling was performed using the stratified random cluster sampling method. Participants were divided into interventional and control groups. The intervention was carried out based on the BASNEF model over four sessions. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the BASNEF questionnaire, and items on overall sexual health. The sexual health educational content was based on the BASNEF model and recorded through the Camtasia 2020 software. The questionnaires were completed before and 8 weeks after the intervention in the two groups. The data before and after the intervention were compared in the intervention and control groups. Data analysis was done by ANCOVA, and the Chi-square test using SPSS 16.
Findings: After education, the mean scores of beliefs (d=0.000, p=0.133, t(25)=1.55) and subjective norms (d=0.668, p=0.002, t(25)=3.40) in participants in the intervention group increased. After education, the rate of referral to sex counseling centers was significantly higher in the intervention group (34.6%) than in the control group (7.7%; p=0.017).
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the implementation of an educational program based on the BASNEF model, in addition to promoting women’s sexual awareness, could modify their subjective norms, as well.
Volume 13, Issue 53 (5-2015)
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to identify changes in the antioxidant properties of soy proteins. Soy proteins- maltodextrin conjugates were prepared by Maillard type reaction in a controlled dry state condition )60 0C, 75% relative humidity, pH:8 for 1, 3, 5 and 7 days(. The formation of glycoconjugates was confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis )SDS-PAGE( and gel filtration chromatography. Browning intensity, 1,1 Diphenyl 2 picryl hydrazyl (DPPH( and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and reducing power measured their antioxidant properties. Browning and intermediate products, as monitored by absorbance at 420 nm, sharply increased with conjugation. DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity increased with increasing incubation time, this improved free radical scavenging activity mediated by antioxidant maillard reaction products. Reducing power of conjugates was remarkably increased compared with the control sample. The results demonstrated that the Maillard type soy protein-maltodextrin products can be used as an effective natural antioxidant.
Volume 15, Issue 1 (3-2015)
Abstract
In the present paper, a new combined technique consist of experimental results and numerical solution for determination of elastic constants of thin and thick orthotropic plates with various stacking sequences; and also isotropic plates under different boundary conditions is proposed. This new proposed technique makes use of vibrational test data, corresponding numerical solution and optimization methods. The vibration test data consists of a set of eigen frequencies that are obtained from transverse vibration test of the plate. The numerical solution is based on a finite element method using a commercial program. Material constants of the plate are determined by using of the inverse method and a particle swarm optimization algorithm in MATLAB software. The error function is based on the sum of square difference between experimental data and numerical data of eigen frequencies solution. The validation, performance and ability of the proposed technique in this paper are discussed using experimental and numerical data available in the literature. The higher accuracy of results that obtained by the present method in comparison with other methods proved the validity and capability f the new proposed method.
Volume 19, Issue 2 (February 2019)
Abstract
Incidence of breaks and leakages in fluid transportation pipes is a common issue in Iran. Depending on the type of pipes and environmental conditions, the breaks in the pipes may be caused by different factors, including mechanical damages, internal or external corrosions, failures, or applied stresses. In the repair of damaged pipes, there are several strategies for rebuilding and implementing the pipeline, most of which are replacing the entire exhausted pipe, using weld clamps and using composite patches. In recent years, the use of composite patches has been accepted as a low-cost, permanent, and standard method for different pipe sections with the least interruption in transportation. In the present study, the boding strength of glass fibers-reinforced epoxy composite patches on a structural steel substrate were investigated and optimal conditions of achieving enhanced adhesion strength of composite patches on the steel substrate were determined, using the Tagochi method at various curing temperatures and times. In this regard, the tensile and shear strength of epoxy, cyanoacrylate, and methacrylate-based glues as three kinds of appropriate polymers for bonding the epoxy composite on the steel substrates were tested. The mechanical strength measurements and fractured interfaces evaluations using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the methacrylate-based glue has the better adhesion strength to the steel substrate.
Volume 19, Issue 130 (December 2022)
Abstract
Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) are one of the appropriate delivery systems which attract enormous interest for encapsulating bioactive componds in recent years. One of the important physicochemical properties of SLNs is particle size that is influenced by formulation and production process parameters. Inappropriate conditions of the nanaocarrier production process in the pre and main emulsion steps cause unsuitable paricle size as well as unstable emulsion and gel formation. Therefore, in this research production process of SLN was investigated and optimized by hot homogenization method and with two lipids of Compritol and Precirol separately. Hence, homogenization time in preparation of pre emulsion and amplitude and time of ultrasonication in final emulsion production was studied to obtained the smallest particle size. In pre emulsion step, the smallest particle size for Compritol SLN (619±4 nm) and Precirol SLN (373±3 nm) obtained in 180 second mixing by ultra-turax in 16000 (rpm). In final emulsion, 40% amplitude and 3 minutes caused to attained smallest particle size in Compritol SLN (397±5 nm) and Precirol SLN (259±2 nm). Then polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential and visual observation of nanocarriers with optimized particle size were examined. The results showed that Precirol SLN had higher zata potential (-12.3±0.6 mV) than Compritol SLN (-8.97±0.17mV) but PDI of two nanocarriers was not significantly different. Visual observation of both nanocarriers at the storage time showed no instability.
Volume 20, Issue 4 (winter 2020 2020)
Abstract
The distribution of resources and potentials is of crucial importance in the regional economy, social justice, poverty reduction and economic growth and development. Thus, fair distribution of income is one of the most important concerns of policymakers and economic researchers. However, since the income distribution index (Gini coefficient) is limited to range between zero and one, the use of standard linear models may not measure accurately the effect of other variables on it. Therefore, this study attempts to identify the variables affecting income distribution in the provinces of Iran over the period 2005-2016 using a Fractional Panel Probit Model. This approach is able to estimate the average partial effects of dependent variables with fractional data ranging from zero to one. The results show that the relationship between economic growth and income distribution does not support the Kuznets’s hypothesis. Among the control variables, per capita government expenditure, financial development and inflation have negative and significant effects on the Gini coefficient. According to the findings, it is suggested that the government should implement policies to promote financial development and to increase the efficiency of financial instruments, as well as to invest on education and health in order to benefit all strata of society.
Volume 20, Issue 5 (7-2018)
Abstract
The present study aimed to evaluate effectiveness of Superheated Solvent Extraction (SSE) compared with instant Controlled Pressure Drop (DIC) assisted Solvent Extraction (DIC-SE) on total phenolic, flavonoids, and anthocyanins compounds from pomegranate peels. The effects of temperature, extraction time, and water:ethanol ratio for SSE method, and temperature and heating time for DIC-SE were studied. The highest phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and extraction yields by SSE was achieved at 160˚C, ethanol: water 50:50 and 20 minutes, subsequently in the DIC-SE, the most effectiveness was approached at 150˚C for 5 seconds (P< 0.05). The SSE improved the total phenolic compounds (563.16±1.04 mg g-1), anthocyanins (285.11±1.02 mg 100 g-1), extraction yield (68.7%) and shortened the extraction times compared to DIC-SE, but flavonoid content was more in DIC-SE extract (439.07±0.05 mg g-1). Based on HPLC analyses, gallic acid was not detected in any of the obtained extracts, but the amount of ellagic acid and punicalagin A and B in DIC-SE extract was higher than SSE. The current study clearly shows that the SSE is an effective extraction method to obtain phenolic compounds and the DIC is an advantageous pretreatment for extraction of flavonoids from pomegranate peels.
Volume 21, Issue 2 (summer 2021 2021)
Abstract
In Iran, after exchange rate jumps, the issue of export prices, and especially its impact on economic growth, has become more important. Some experts argue that as the exchange rate rises, more domestic currency is bought with regard to each foreign currency; thus, domestic goods become cheaper than foreign goods and real exports increase. On the opposite side, some believe that the increase in the exchange rate has no meaningful effect on the increase in exports due to the weakness of the export development infrastructure. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of export price on Iran's economic growth using Structural Vector Auto-regression (SVAR) and Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs) during 1979-2017. The results of the study indicate that export price has a positive effect on the economic growth. Economic growth also reduces export prices. But due to the fact that exports and economic growth of the country are highly dependent on imports, especially on import prices; it is not possible to increase production and exports by increasing the exchange rate, especially as the positive effect of rising export prices on economic growth is relatively low.
Volume 23, Issue 3 (autumn 2023)
Abstract
Introduction
Evaluating the effects and consequences of the policies at the macro-economic level and examining their possible weaknesses are necessary for implementing successful economic policies. For this purpose, the existence of a set of data to perform various economic analyzes enables economic policy-makers to evaluate the effects of economic policies before and after their implementation. Financial Social Accounting Matrix (FSAM) is a combination of funds flow and social accounting matrix for macroeconomics that provides details of real and financial transactions and flows. The addition of financial transactions (financial institutions and financial instruments) allows SAM to simulate the impact of exogenous economic and financial shocks on the economy. Therefore, the creation of a new data framework, new tools and methods that covers the financial market and its relationship with other economic systems is necessary to review economic policies and decisions. Therefore, the present study aims to create FSAM for Iran and, while evaluating the impact of financial accounts in economic analysis, to measure the effects of the development of raw and processed food exports on the growth of production of economic activities. Also, for updating FSAM data, in this study, the supply and use tables of Iran's economy are also updated, so that Iran's financial social accounting matrix is compiled with the most up-to-date information possible.
Methodology
Using the input-output table is necessary to compile the parts of the exchanges of the real part of the social financial accounting matrix. These tables need to be updated due to the time gap between the statistical base year and the year of their publication. Therefore, in this study, the updated supply and use table of Iran's economy for 2018 was prepared using the RAS method. After updating the supply and consumption tables, the social financial accounting matrix of Iran with dimensions of 268*268 [taking into account 126 goods and services, 79 activities, 3 factors of production (labor, land and capital), 20 household deciles (10 urban and 10 rural deciles) and 8 financial instruments (gold and special drawing rights, cash and deposits, government bonds, shares, loans, legal reserves, insurance technical reserves and other accounts receivable/payable)] was made.
Results and Discussion
According to FSAM coefficients, if the demand for crops (for any reason such as increase in government demand or export) increases by 1000 Rials, the production of agricultural activities will increase by 1039 Rials and the production of horticultural activities will increase by 80 Rials. The effect of this increase in demand on animal husbandry, forestry, fishing, mining and food production is equal to 178, 2, 21, 218 and 237 Rials, respectively. Totally, the increase in the demand of crops by 1000 Rials increases the production of the whole economy by 3746 Rials. Comparison of SAM and FSAM coefficients showed that the coefficients in all accounts in the FSAM model are higher than in the SAM model, which indicates the important role of financial flows in the economy. In order to investigate the effect of the increase in the export of the studied products on the production of the entire economy, the amount of export of these products in 2017 and their coefficients at the level of the entire economy have been used. For this purpose, an increase shock of 10% has been applied to the initial export of these products, and the results of the increase in production were calculated based on the increasing coefficients of FSAM and SAM. The results show that due to the 10% increase in the export of each of the examined products, the largest increase in production at the economic level is achieved due to the development of the export of food industry products, and the total production of the economy increases by 82901 billion Rials.
Conclusion
The results showed that the coefficients in all accounts in the FSAM model are higher than in the SAM model, which indicates the important role of financial flows in the economy. In fact, the development of integrated financial information at the national level is to understand the interrelationship between the real and financial aspects of the economy. In the framework of FSAM, the savings of the internal institutions of the society, which are not allocated to the formation of gross fixed capital, are given to the specific productive sector through the financial markets; and in a positive cycle, it leads to more investment, more production and more income, and creates a connection between the real and financial part of the economy. Therefore, these considerations in the social financial accounting matrix have increased the coefficients of the studied products. Considering the significant impact of financial flows and the effects of financial accounts and financial investment of institutions, the use of FSAM can provide a comprehensive framework for evaluating the structural characteristics of Iran's economy and the relationship between socio-economic components.
Volume 25, Issue 2 (2-2023)
Abstract
The present study aimed at assessment of the beneficial role of fungal inoculation [Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) and Trichoderma harzianum] and Selenium (Se) treatments (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mg kg-1 soil) on quality of strawberry cv. Camarosa by an emphasis on physiochemical characteristics. Fungal inoculation and Se treatment improved the fruit fresh and dry weights and fruit length, which was related to their capacity to enhance photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls and carotenoid). Leaves protein, N, and P content as well as fruit total phenolic content and anthocyanin concentration were significantly affected by AMF and T. harzianum inoculation. It was found that strawberry plants inoculated with T. harzianum under 1.0 mg kg-1 soil of Se treatment had better leaves and fruit physicochemical characteristics as compared with other treatments. Overall, inoculation of T. harzianum along with 1.0 mg kg-1 soil of Se treatment could be recommended as an environmentally sustainable approach for improvement of the quality of strawberry cv. Camarosa fruit.
Volume 25, Issue 5 (9-2023)
Abstract
Bread is a basic and essential good that has a special importance in the consumer basket of households and constitutes the main food of many people in the world. The main objective of this study was to investigate the consumption behavior of household bread basket using demand systems during 1998-2018. Therefore, estimates of various demand systems including generalized ordinary demand, Almost Ideal Differential Demand, Rotterdam, Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) and National Bureau of Research (NBR) were used to select the appropriate demand system to calculate the price and income elasticities of bread demand. Based on statistical tests and econometric criteria, the results showed that the generalized ordinary demand system was the most appropriate model for estimating the consumption demand of the bread basket in urban households. The income elasticities of all types of bread were positive, and, for urban consumers, Barbari and industrial bread were essential and Lavash, Sangak, and Taftoon were luxury types. Also, according to the negative expectations and cross elasticities of Sangak with Barbari, self-price elasticities of different types of bread were positive, meaning that Sangak was replaced by Barbari. In addition, the variable effect of subsidy targeting was positive for Taftoon and Lavash breads, negative for Barbari, and meaningless for Sangak. According to the study results, it is suggested that government officials pay special attention to the importance of bread consumption basket and preferences of its consumers in economic policies regarding food and household consumption basket (such as targeted subsidies).
