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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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Literature is one of the most important factors of cultural transferring for every nation and has elements and components as complex as life and culture. If we consider criticism as a tool of leading literature to creativity, then we will perceive its crucial situation among the societies because the alive conscience of literature releases it from self deception. Critics select different procedures in the frame of their proficiency and interest in this way. Moral criticism, social criticism, psychological criticism, historical criticism, aesthetic criticism and comparative criticism are of the most important branches of literary criticism that besides merging with other sciences, they prove the dependency of literature on science from one hand and on the culture of society on the other. This research, using an analytical approach to social criticism, aims to reach a kind of convergence beyond the different and sometimes contradictory ideas in this field, while explicating the foundations of social criticism in literature. Therefore, to assume the society as the subject of a writer's thoughts instead of his/her source of thought, defining the individuality of an artist or a writer (which helps to distinguish his/her point of view and accepting the artistic aspect of literary works as the distinction between science and art) removes a lot of challenges in this field.

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Background: Many comprehensive epidemiological studies have been done about fungal infections, which areone of the publichealth and therapeutic problemsin different communities. Since prevalence rate of fungal diseases and their etiological agents are changing over time,the aim of this study was to provide additional information about visceral fungal infections (VFIs) in order to understand the ways of their dissemination, to prevent disease transmission, to eliminate contamination sources and predisposing factors, and to provide effective ways for their treatment.
Materials and Methods: Samples were taken from the lesion of patients referred to medical mycology laboratory of Tehran University of Medical Sciences from 2014 to 2015. After providing direct wet mount of Potassium hydroxide (KOH) smears from these samples and samples sent from other medical centers, culturing on Sabouraud Dextrose agar with chloramphenicol (SC) and brain heart infusion agar (BHI) media was performed. After growth, species were identified.
Results: From a total of 295 suspected samples, VFI was proved in 69 cases (23%). Aspergillosis was the most prevalent infection among VFIs. Candidiasis, cryptococcosis and mucormycosis were in the late orders, respectively. Two patients were also infected by Trichosporon. The predominant species in aspergillosis infections was Aspergillus flavus, and the predominant species in candidiasis infections was Candida albicans.
Conclusion: According to the obtained results on the prevalence rate and incidence of VFIs between male and female patients in different age groups and also by taking into account the prevalent type of fungi and infectious site of patients’ bodies, it is possible to take appropriate action for the prevention and treatment of these kinds of diseases by using the important keys of these results to research and study etiological and underlying factors involved in these diseases.

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Background: Many studies have been conducted on fungal infections which are known as public health and therapeutic problems. Since the prevalence rate of the fungal diseases and their etiological factors are changing over time, the purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence rate of superficial-cutaneous fungal infections (SCFIs) in order to understand the ways of their dissemination, to prevent diseases transmission, to eliminate contamination sources and predisposing factors, and to take appropriate action for their treatment.
Materials and Methods: After referral to medical mycology laboratory of Tehran University of Medical Science from 2014 to 2015, the patients were subjected to mycological examinations, and sampling of patients’ lesions was performed. Directsmears were prepared with Potassium hydroxide. Samples were cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar medium, and species were identified.
Results: From a total of 916 suspected patients, 334 cases (36.5%) had SCFIs. Dermatophytosis was the most prevalent SCFI (55.7%), followed by cutaneous candidiasis (19%), tinea versicolor (14.3%), and non-dermatophytic molds (11%).Tineapedis was the frequent site of involvement. Trichophytonmentagrophytes was the predominant species of dermatophytosis.
Conclusion: According to the obtained results on the prevalence rate of SCFIs between male and female patients in different age groups and also by taking into account the type of the prevalent fungi and the involvement site of the fungal infection, it is possible to take appropriate action for prevention and treatment of these kind of diseases by using important keys of the results to research etiological and underlying factors involved in these diseases.

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Aims: In imbalanced conditions, Candida species colonization as a normal microflora of human skin and some mucosal surfaces is replaced by invasive forms (budding yeast cells, pseudohyphae, and true hyphae). This study aimed to investigate the frequency of Candida species and candidiasis with emphasis on the presence and propensity of different Candida species for pseudohyphae and true hyphae formation  in clinical samples taken from various clinical forms of candidiasis.
Materials & Methods: In this cross-sectional study (2018 to 2019), sampling was done from 492  patients suspected to candidiasis, referred to the Medical Mycology Laboratory. Employing direct microscopy and culturing methods, the Candida species were identified using morphological and biochemical characteristics and also PCR-RFLP and DNA sequencing.
Findings: From a total of 96 candidiasis patients, 44.9% were identified with superficial-cutaneous and 55.1% with visceral candidiasis. The most clinical strains were isolated from fingernail scrapings (33.2%), followed by bronchoalveolar lavage samples (17%). The mycelium was found in 55.2% of the cases, and the highest frequency was related to the nail specimens (34%, p <.05). C. albicans was the predominant species forming mycelium (69.8%), followed by C. tropicalis, but no mycelium was found in C. guilliermondii cases. Mycelium formation was observed more in patients with an underlying disease such as AIDS and organ transplantation (p <.05).
Conclusion: Non-albicans Candida species have also the propensity to induce an invasive form of mycelial in the skin and to increase internal organs temperature, exacerbating clinical symptoms. This finding is important for choosing proper antifungal treatments and should be taken into account by clinicians.

 

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The effects of water deficit on grain yield, yield components and the physiological char-acteristics of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) varieties were studied in a split plot design dur-ing the 1999-2000 growing season in Karaj, Iran. Five irrigation levels [0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% crop water requirements (CWR)] and six barley varieties Karoon Kavir , Rei-hani(drought tolerant), Torkman , C-74-9 (intermediate) , Kavir Badia and Gorgan-4 (2 rowed type, drought sensitive) were arranged in the main plots and sub plots respectively. Results showed that water deficit induced stress and this decreased the grain yield and yield components. Water deficit increased the canopy temperature and those varieties showed a higher canopy temperature under non-stress conditions, performed better un-der drought conditions. Severe stress reduced the chlorophyll content (SPAD values) con-siderably, but the differences were not significant between the 50, 75 and 100% CWR treatments. In addition, no significant differences were observed in the chlorophyll con-tent of barley varieties under drought conditions. The effect of irrigation on the photo-chemical efficiency of photosystemII (Fv/Fm) and the other fluorescence parameters for all varieties were significant. Although the Fv/Fm values were not significant in barley varie-ties at any level of irrigation, in general Karoon Kavir and Reihani varieties showed a better performance under water deficit conditions. Proline content was significantly dif-ferent in various irrigation treatments, but its accumulation at any level of irrigation did not differ significantly in barley varieties. It was concluded that the higher canopy tem-perature (less negative T) under well irrigated conditions and higher grain yield, 1000-grain weight, Fv/Fm values under water stress conditions could possibly be the proper cri-teria for screening the drought tolerant barley genotypes under field or laboratory condi-tions.

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Aims: Chlamydial infections could lead to ectopic pregnancy and infertility. Considering the high prevalence of infertility in Iran and little information about the role of urogenital bacterial infections in this disease, this study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and sequence types of Chlamydia trachomatis in the urogenital tract of infertile couples in North Khorasan.
Materials & Methods: Cervical or urethral swabs collected from infertile patients referring to two private clinics and the infertility center of Bent Al-Hoda hospital in Bojnurd during 2017-2021 were tested for C. trachomatis. These specimens were evaluated using PCR for C. trachomatis orf8 gene. Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) was performed on positive samples using PCR amplification of seven housekeeping genes (GlyA, leuS, lysS, mdhC, pdhA, pykF, and yhbG) following a previously described protocol.
Findings. Out of 268 samples tested, 44 (16.4%) samples were positive for C. trachomatis. Among which, 35 cases were obtained from women, and nine samples were from men. Of the 44 positive samples, 10 cases were not typable. Only two sequence types were detected among 34 typeable isolates: 25 (73.5%) isolates belonged to ST80, and nine (26.5%) samples belonged to ST4.
Conclusion. The high prevalence of ST4 and ST80 in most symptomatic infertile patients may be attributed to the higher pathogenicity of these types in the urogenital tract. However, our sample size was insufficient to draw such a conclusion.,  Further research on the prevention and treatment of Chlamydial infections could potentially help to reduce infertility in Iran.
 

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Background: The present investigation aimed to survey the in-vitro inhibitory effects of nitroglycerin against Candida albicans, Trichophyton rubrum, and Aspergillus flavus.
Materials & Methods: In the current investigation, 99 fungal isolates were gathered from patients referred to the Medical Mycology Laboratory of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. The disk diffusion method was done based on Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) M44-S2 guidelines. Also, the microdilution method was performed base on CLSI guidelines for filamentous fungi (document M38-A2) and yeasts (document M27-A3).
Findings: In the disk diffusion method, all isolates of C. albicans (n=33, 100%) and A. flavus (n=33, 100%) showed sensitivity to nitroglycerin, whereas all isolates of T. rubrum (n=33, 100%) showed resistance to nitroglycerin. On the other hand, in the microdilution method, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of nitroglycerin against C. albicans and A. flavus isolates was 0.5 mg/mL, whereas the MIC of nitroglycerin against T. rubrum was 0.12 mg/mL.
The results showed that the MIC of nitroglycerin against dermatophytes was about one-quarter of its MIC against C. albicans and A. flavus, and this difference was statistically significant (p< .05).
Conclusion: Considering the potential and efficacy of nitroglycerin against yeasts and filamentous fungi (saprophytes and dermatophytes), complementary in-vivo and in-vitro studies should be done.

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An attempt in this paper has been made to experimentally investigate the behavior of rock like pre-cracked samples under uniaxial loading. To reach that aim, several physical models made up mixture of cement, gypsum and water with 5×10×20 cm of dimensions which contained open and closed joints with rough and smooth surface.  Open and closed joints with rough and smooth surfaces were located in the center of samples. Open and closed joints with 4, 5 and 6 cm of lengths and 30, 45 and 60 degree of angles relative to loading direction were located in the center of samples. Saw cut profiles were used to make a roughness in the specimens. Experimentally results illustrate that depend on length and angle of closed or open joints, two types of cracks (wing and secondary cracks) propagated from the tips of pre-existing joints. Secondary cracks propagated after than wing cracks. With increasing internal stress due to loading, tensile stress concentration were happened earlier than shear stress concentration at the tips of pre-existing open cracks. Propagation of cracks from the tips of joint proved stress concentration was larger than another part of joints. In fact stress concentration in the central part of joint is more than joint tips. Location of crack propagation changed into the central part of joint with decreasing of closed joints angle relative to horizontal direction so stress concentration in the center more than another part of closed joints. Crack initiation stress depends on length, dip and closed or open state of joints. Wing crack initiation stress proportional to joint angle relative to loading axis and inversely proportional to joint length. In the Similar circumstances Initiation stress for closed joints more than open joints. In this research, effective parameters on secondary crack propagation were investigated. The experimental results reveal that secondary crack propagation depends on joint dip and distance between crack tips and sample sides. If minimum distance between crack tips and sample sides called (s) and width sample called (b) then for the specimens with 30 degree of dip angle and ratio  secondary cracks propagated from crack tips to sample sides.

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An experimental and numerical approach on crack propagation and fracture toughness of Central Straight-through Crack Brazilian Disk (CSCBD) samples under compression is carried out to be investigated the effect of particle size heterogeneity. To accomplish this goal, six type of specimens with different silica sand particle size but same combination are used for preparation CSCBD specimens. Diametrical compression load with a rate of 0.3 mm/min in two directions respect to the central crack orientation is applied to the discs and the failure loads corresponding to the each test are recorded. Also In this study, a numerical simulator based on RFPA (Rock Failure Process Analysis) is used to study the crack propagation path and fracture load in simulated CSCBD specimens with different particle size (Similar laboratory specimens). In this simulator, the heterogeneity of specimens is considered by assuming that the material properties of elements conform to a weibull distribution. Result of laboratory tests indicates a nonlinear relation between specimen’s particle size and mode I and mode II fracture toughness. The specimen whit medial particle size (2-2.38 mm) has the maximum fracture toughness in two fracture mode. Toughness of specimens decreased with increase and decrease of silica sand particle size. Numerical results shows, the trajectory of crack path for fine particle are more regular and initiated from the crack tip, propagate parallel to the load direction. But it’s for coarse particle, initiated from the boundary of grains in whole of the specimen and lead it to failure in an unexpected path. An experimental and numerical approach on crack propagation and fracture toughness of Central Straight-through Crack Brazilian Disk (CSCBD) samples under compression is carried out to be investigated the effect of particle size heterogeneity. To accomplish this goal, six type of specimens with different silica sand particle size but same combination are used for preparation CSCBD specimens. Diametrical compression load with a rate of 0.3 mm/min in two directions respect to the central crack orientation is applied to the discs and the failure loads corresponding to the each test are recorded. Also In this study, a numerical simulator based on RFPA (Rock Failure Process Analysis) is used to study the crack propagation path and fracture load in simulated CSCBD specimens with different particle size (Similar laboratory specimens). In this simulator, the heterogeneity of specimens is considered by assuming that the material properties of elements conform to a weibull distribution. Result of laboratory tests indicates a nonlinear relation between specimen’s particle size and mode I and mode II fracture toughness. The specimen whit medial particle size (2-2.38 mm) has the maximum fracture toughness in two fracture mode. Toughness of specimens decreased with increase and decrease of silica sand particle size. Numerical results shows, the trajectory of crack path for fine particle are more regular and initiated from the crack tip, propagate parallel to the load direction. But it’s for coarse particle, initiated from the boundary of grains in whole of the specimen and lead it to failure in an unexpected path.

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Hybrid joints (Metal–Composite) is being used more and more in aerospace industry due to their low weight and high strength. Dynamic study of this joint, owing to limitation of increase in screw’s preload in composite substructure, has certain importance. Effective factors on nonlinear behavior of the joint are low preload of the screw and high excitation force amplitude on the structure. Layer Element Model has been used to better the description of joint’s behavior in recent years. In this study effects of nonlinear behavior of joint on the structure has been investigated using 2D layer element theory in two divisions: increase of damping and decrease of stiffness which result in nonlinearity. Stiffness characteristics of the joint was modeled with normal stiffness and damping characteristics of the joint with structural damping in shear direction. Nonlinear frequency response function for two preload and two excitation force was extracted and nonlinear finite element model for stiffness and damping of the joint is suggested by High-order polynomial approximation in terms of response amplitude. Effects of increase of excitation force amplitude and decrease of screw’s preload on increase of nonlinearity was extracted by this finite element model. Results indicate that presented nonlinear finite element model corresponds closely to nonlinear vibration tests.

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Prison literature is one of the branches of literary criticism that has been shaped by various political and social currents and narrating the sincere feelings of those who have often been detainedand persecuted for seeking freedom. Reza Barahani (1935) and Abdul RahmanMajeed al-Rubaie (1939) are the contemporary writers of Persian and Arabic literature who are pioneer in this field. The novel Bad az Arose cheGozasht(What happened after the Wedding) describes the harsh and insulting attitudes of SAVAK officers with political prisoners in the form of noble character Shahir and reflects the political atmosphere in the era of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.  The novel Alvashm also presents an image of the defeat of the first republican system and the return of tyranny to Iraqi society between 1958 and 1963, in the form of Karim al-Nasri's personality. The present study, using a descriptive-analytical method and based on the American Comparative Literature School, examins and compares the two selected novels from the perspective of the prisonliterature and concludes that the purpose of both writers was to draw the intellectual space and the way governments then interacted with intellectuals in Iran and Iraq, with this difference that the political condition of the two countries have brought different outcomes for the heroes.
 

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Alienation is an inner feeling caused in individuals resulted from anxiety and stress in social, political, and economic circumstances. Alienation emerges with feelings such as anger, worry, disappointment, fiasco, and solitude resulting in behaviors such as norm-breaking, revolt or isolationism. This phenomenon is also proposed in literature like other sciences especially because poets and writers are mostly considered as among thinkers and intellectuals of every society. With a descriptive-analytic approach, this research tries to reveal and explain types of alienation in the poetry of Ghada al-Samman, a Syrian contemporary poet. Ghada al-Samman, due to some incidents such as her mother’s death in childhood, divorce and emotional failure, social bottlenecks, identity crisis due to the 1967 defeat, being far from home in Europe and familiar with feminist thought experienced alienation which is well reflected in her poems. The results of this study also indicate types of alienation including local, emotional, social, and political in poet’s works. In addition, the results also found that she applied two mechanisms while confronting with such circumstances namely, return to the past and imagination. 

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Composite paintings “figure in figure” have always been taken into account by Iranian and Indian painters. Drawings that consisted of a combination of different and smaller figures within a main body include human, animal, and in some cases, plant figures that are carved into a larger body. This method was used in Iranian and Indian paintings, the Mongol Gurkhani period and despite the fact that they indicate the beauty and creativity of artists of that period, they have differences in perspective and performance. The purpose of this article is a comparative analysis of this style of painting in Iran and India in the 10th and 11th centuries AH and also to identify differences between the methods applied that are very close in structure, to answer the main question of this article that what is the difference between the method of execution and expression of composite drawings in Iran and India? And how is the difference between them defined? In this article, two paintings from the Safavid period of Iran and two from the Mongol Gurkhani period are analyzed and compared with each other to determine their characteristics, similarities and differences. According to the findings, Indian painters performed an imaginary subject with an objectivist and realistic look, but the Iranian painter had an aesthetic and idealistic view of imagining the real world, like an exemplary and paradisiacal world. This article is done with the analytical-comparative method and going through library materials.
 

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