Showing 32 results for Mehraban
Volume 2, Issue 2 (4-2016)
Abstract
Background: The role of the hospital environment as a source of dissemination of pathogens is critical. Environmental surfaces in the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) are suitable for the growth of Gram-negative bacteria that normally circulate between the environment and patients and can cause outbreaks of nosocomial infections. In this study, the prevalence of Gram-negative bacilli in the environment of the ICUs and neonatal ICU (NICU) of hospitals in the city of Qom was evaluated. Materials and Methods: During a 6 month period from November 2012 to April 2013, samples were collected from environmental surfaces of ICUs of four hospitals and NICU of one hospital located in the city of Qom. Sampling was done from equipment, fluids, and surfaces and identification was carried out based on culture and biochemical tests for Gram-negative bacilli. Results: A total of 230 swab samples was collected and 50 colonies of Gram-negative bacilli were isolated from environmental surfaces. Overall, 64% of the isolates belonged to non-fermentative bacteria and 36% of the isolates belonged to Enterobacteriaceae family. Strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii complex accounted for the highest rates of environmental isolates. In addition, Klebsiella pneumoniae was isolated from NICU. Conclusion: The high frequency of genus Acinetobacter among Gram negative bacteria isolated from environmental surfaces has a public health impact and Acinetobacter spp. should be considered in the infection control programs in hospitals. Isolation of K. pneumoniae should be regarded as a risk factor for fatal neonatal infections.
Volume 3, Issue 3 (9-2017)
Abstract
Background: Aspergillosis is an opportunistic infection caused by Aspergillus spp in immunocompromised patients. The role of HSP90 in Aspergillus drug resistance is still unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the presence of HSP90 gene and polyene resistance in Aspergillus spp using PCR.
Materials and Methods: In this study, 32 Aspergillus strains were used, which were isolated from patients susceptible to aspergillosis through Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and identified by conventional methods. The isolates were cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA). Susceptibility testing against amphotericin B was conducted according CLSI standards (M38-A). Also, the presence of HSP90 gene was evaluated using PCR.
Results: Of 32 Aspergillus strains used in this study, 16 (50%) isolates were identified as A. Flavus, 12 (37.5%) isolates as A. fumigatus, and 4 (12.5%) isolates as A. terreus. Among these species, 19 (59.37%) isolates were sensitive to amphotericin B whereas 13 (40.62%) were resistant. Moreover, there was a significant difference between the presence of HSP90 gene and resistance to amphotericin B in Aspergillus species.
Conclusions: The presence of HSP90 gene provides evidence that shows this gene may play important role in resistance to amphotericin B in Aspergillus isolates. Although numerous regulatory genes are involved in resistance mechanisms, they remaines to be more clarified
Volume 7, Issue 1 (No.1 (Tome 29), (Articles in Persian) 2016)
Abstract
Assessment of the English proficiency of applicants of entry into postgraduate studies, undeniably, is of utmost importance. Nationally speaking, the current status of the English test administered by the National Organization of Educational Testing (NOET) in Iran has been a topic of heated contention in recent years. This study purports to investigate the validity of the Iranian English proficiency test for Ph.D. admission purposes adopting the assessment use argument as the main framework for its validation research. To this end, the required data were collected from the relevant stakeholders of the test, namely applicants of the test, experts in educational assessment and language testing, and test readiness instructors. Structured interviews and focus groups were conducted and the acquired data were analyzed using the qualitative content analysis approach. Most prominent themes that emerged from the data in addition to a number of relevant representative quotes constituted the major findings of this study. The results revealed that the test is in need of major revisions in some parts, and further modifications are deemed as necessary. In the final section, summary of the results along with suggestions for optimization of the test are put forth. Keywords: Iranian Ph.D. admission English proficiency test, test validation, assessment use argument
Volume 12, Issue 2 (2-2021)
Abstract
Abstract
The northern Iran was controlled by Three Alawite governments in the middle of the eighth century AH. Emadi, Marashi and Kiai Sayyed sinstaled Shiite governments in HezarJerib, eastern Mazandaran and eastern Gilan. The emergence of these governments washappening the strong local dynasties such as the Chelavids, the Nasserites, the Wallachids, the Jalali, the Ruzafzuniyah, and the Padusbanids were always challengingwith them. Although reliance on Shiism was one of the reasons for the persistence of these dynasties, it seems that a series of far-reaching cultural propaganda in order to Public opinion engineering provided legitimacy to these governments on behalf of Hashemite governments. Relying on Hashemid's lineage, propaganda, using people's beliefs, relying on martyrs, using the concept of martyrdom, sanctifying rulers, oppressing and destroying the ones of the opposition were among the most significant strategies taken by Hashemid's governments in the north during the eighth to tenth centuries AH. The descend Sayyed govrnments in the north of Iran in order to the public opinion engineering by used these methods were able benefited them and they were able to help maintain the government while establishing it.
Volume 13, Issue 2 (5-2022)
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate the procedures of persuasion of judges by lawyers in the Iranian criminal and legal courts based on the critical discourse analysis approach. The methodological nature of this research is descriptive-analytic and the authors have collected the data by referring to courts, Tehran courts, and lawyers' offices, by studying hundreds of cases and observing dozens of interrogations in 1397, then analyzed 50 excerpts of conversations of participants (10 cases) based on Laclau and Mouffe's approach (1985,2001,2002). The main features of this approach are: signifier and signified, restlessness, antithesis, hegemony and fixation of meaning, power, myth and social imagination and metaphor, subject position and political subjectivity. According to the discourse of lawyers, it can be said that they use from the establishment of the semantic system of discourse including such words as client release, mitigation of punishment, proving the guilt of the accused, and seeking punishment for the accused, each of which establishes its own signifier with specific concepts, as influential cognitive and behavioral factors for persuasion. The main question of the present study is how the concept of persuasion is reflected in the conversations of lawyers in court discourse. The results showed that lawyers express their client's strengths and rival's weaknesses using backgrounding and foregrounding. So, in order to persuade judges to defend their client, lawyers use backgrounding to express rival’s weakness with the negative bias, and also they use foregrounding to provide their clients strengths with the positive bias.
- Introduction
Language is not only a means of communication between human beings, but also as a social act that encompasses speech and writing. It’s worth noting that every text is produced in special situations and with different degrees of selection and in a ratio of power and ideology. Thus, no text can be found that is devoid of the author's personal views, etc., and just as there is no pure social reality, there is no neutral discourse. Since forensic linguistics is also a process of examining language in law discussions, it finds an inextricable link with discourse analysis, and in this regard, critical discourse analysis can also be mentioned. Forensic linguistics is a branch of applied linguistics that deals with the application of linguistic knowledge and methods in the context of law, legal language, crime, interrogation, trial, and judicial procedure. The present study aims to investigate the methods of using persuasion in court and law processes using the critical discourse analysis approach.
It should be noted that the research on persuasion methods can be fully examined based on the approach of Laclau and Mouffe (1985, 2001, 2002). From this perspective, it is most used in the discourse of lawyers to persuade judges based on the component of opposition (foregrounding and backgrounding) as well as the signifier and signified component that Lacla and Mouffe (1985, 2001, 2002) have dealt with. Therefore, lawyers try to persuade the judge by using their client's discourse factors such as expressing remorse, confession, lack of proper physical condition, participation with the court in the case process.
On the other hand, if we look closely at the environment in which we live, we can easily see persuasive efforts. In fact, persuasion has become an integral part of our lives. Advertisers who use mass media to sell their products usually use this linguistic tool. A political candidate who buys newspaper ads or the health organization that encourages people to quit smoking through a radio station. Also, in general, persuasion is the basic and ultimate goal of all types of communication behaviors. And also, individuals' thoughts, judgments, and memories are strongly formed by their current feelings, by their different behaviors and biases, by their initial perceptions of the main participants (lawyers, defendants, judges), as well as by a set of social factors.
The present study consists of six sections. In the first part, we will discuss the introduction and generalities of the research. In the second part, we will get acquainted with the background of research and related studies. In the third section, we will introduce legal linguistics and the category of persuasion. In the fourth section, we will discuss the research methodology. In the fifth section, we will examine the lawyers' discourse in criminal cases and the category of the investigator’s persuasion, and in the sixth section, we will discuss the findings and results of the research.
2. Literature Review
For decades, we have witnessed a growing methodology and an increasing number of linguists appearing in court as expert witnesses. Nevertheless, not even the name of this new science has been heard in the Iranian judicial system, which makes the need to study and introduce this science in the field of the Iranian judicial system important. Accordingly, the present study is one of those researches that can be used in this field and can be helpful. In the following, the authors intend to introduce some of the research related to the forthcoming research.
Baghinipour (2004) in an article entitled "Persuasion and some of its measures: a discussion in critical discourse" examines the process of persuasion and considers it a phenomenon that can be used to overcome the mind and create the discussion of power. Findings have shown that different speech structures can be effective in shaping and changing mental models and social representations.
Kia and Saeedi (2004) in a study entitled “The principles of communication, propaganda and persuasion” have stated that persuasion is a mutual linguistic factor whose purpose is to respond to the needs of the persuaded person, and generally in persuasion there is a two-way communication.
Motavali (2005) in his research entitled “Public Opinion and Methods of Persuasion” has tried to make us familiar with the issues that deal with public opinion in such a way.
Nami (2009) has also stated that in foreign language teaching academies in Iran, writing English with proper cohesion, coherence and suitable persuasiveness is a major challenge for those language learners who are studying English. This is because, writing is usually considered a secondary skill and is pushed to the margins of language classes due to its time consuming nature.
Studies show that so far no research has been done on the methods of persuading judges based on the ideas of Laclau and Mouffe (1985, 2001, 2002). Therefore, in this article, we will address the question of what are the linguistic strategies and factors involved in the lawyers' discourse to persuade judges based on the approach of Laclau and Mouffe discourse analysis.
3. Research Methodology
The methodological nature of this research is descriptive-analytic and the authors have collected the data by referring to courts, Tehran courts, and lawyers' offices, by studying hundreds of cases and observing dozens of interrogations in 1397, then analyzed 50 excerpts of conversations of participants (10 cases) based on Laclau and Mouffe's approach (1985,2001,2002).
4. Results
The tool of the lawyer is word, sentence and discourse and s/he uses this tool in the form of speech and writing. Therefore, the lawyer must have cognitive and behavioral components that make his/her speech and writing expressive, effective, logical and effective in order to convince the judges. It is clear that these cognitive and behavioral components must be compatible with the law system in which the lawyer works, as well as with the social, moral, and cultural structure of the lawyer's workplace. Therefore, there are similarities between advocacy, teacher, sermon and some other professions, but in attorneyship, expressing or creating special concepts in the mind of the addressee is not the goal. Rather, it is important to use these characteristics, such as clauses and utterances, to prove the claimant and to prove right or wrong. This is where the presence of linguists in legal and judicial matters can be helpful. In general, the findings indicate that in the analysis of Laclau and Mouffeh's discourse, backgrounding is the expression of one's own weaknesses and strengths of the rival, and foregrounding is also the expression of one's own strengths and weaknesses of the rival. Thus, the results showed that lawyers express their client's strengths and rival's weaknesses using backgrounding and foregrounding. So, in order to persuade judges to defend their client, lawyers use backgrounding to express rival’s weakness with the negative bias, and also they use foregrounding to provide their clients strengths with the positive bias.
Finally, among the fifty lawyers' interviews in the court discourse to convince the judges based on the components of Lacla and Mouffe (1985, 2001, 2002), the authors have stated the most common use of the available components as follows:
Percentage |
Components |
48% |
Foregrounding |
44% |
backgrounding |
8% |
Signifier & Signified |
Volume 13, Issue 4 (1-2011)
Abstract
Objective: In this project, our aim was to construct a novel expressing vector harboring a new sequence from overlapping region of NS3 gene of HCV from infected Iranian patient.
Materials and Methods: The partial NS3 (pNS3) gene was amplified by Nested-RT-PCR method using sera of HCV infected patients harboring genotype 1a. After purification and cloning the pNS3 into TA-cloning vector, the best colony was selected based on Blue/White screening and colony-PCR following by confirmation with sequencing and restriction digestion with BglII. The sequenced gene was compared with other reference sequences using alignment softwares. The resultant pNS3 gene subcloned into the expression vector, IRES vector, followed by selection the suitable clones by 2 different colony-PCRs. The gene expression was evaluated using GFP detection, RT-PCR and western blotting techniques after transfection of the IRES-pNS3 vector into the 293 cell line.
Results: After pNS3 sequence amplification by RT-PCR, sequencing results showed high homology among the sequences with other reference sequences. This result also showed that it belonged to genotype 1 of HCV. Colony-PCR showed the insertion of gene into expressing vector with the right orientation. GFP expression, RT-PCR and western blotting confirmed transfection of vector, expression of pNS3 gene and production of its protein in 293 cells respectively.
Conclusion: This novel expressing vector harboring partial region of NS3 gene in compare to full NS3 gene maybe more useful in immune induction by antigen presenting cells due to absence of genes responsible for protease activity of the protein in the setting of HCV vaccine.
Volume 14, Issue 5 (9-2012)
Abstract
Viral symptoms indicative of Iris yellow spot virus (IYSV) were observed on onion in several fields near Chenaran in Khorasan Razavi Province. Mechanical inoculation of herbaceous hosts with onion sap extracts from symptomatic plants showed similar symptoms to those described for IYSV. The mechanically transmitted virus reacted only with antisera specific to IYSV in DAS-ELISA but not with antisera specific to seven other tospoviruses. In RT-PCR, a DNA fragment approximately 822 bp in size was amplified from infected Nicotiana benthamiana by using primers specific to the nucleocapsid (N) gene of IYSV. After cloning and sequencing, the deduced N protein sequence of two isolates (GenBank accession no. HQ148173 and HQ148174) showed 98% amino acid identity with a Sri Lankan isolate, 96% with a Dutch isolate and 92% with a Brazilian isolate. To our knowledge, this is the first molecular characterization of IYSV in Iran.
Volume 14, Issue 14 (Second Special Issue 2015)
Abstract
In this study, experimental tests were performed to evaluate the effects of axisymmetric cylindrical projectile nose shapes and initial velocities on ballistic performance of laminated woven glass epoxy composites. Projectile initial velocity and nose sharpness changes, absorbed energy, delamination area, etc. are investigated by six blunt, hemispherical, conical and ogival projectiles. Hand lay-up method has been used to manufacture composite targets with 18 layers of 2D woven glass fibers of 45% fiber volume fraction. The epoxy system is made of epon 828 resin with jeffamine D400 as the curing agent. The results show that the maximum influence of projectile geometry on target behavior, occurs in ballistic limit area. In this range of initial velocity, ogival (CRH=2.5) and Blunt projectiles show the best and the worst ballistic performance. The delamination area decreases as the projectile nose sharpness increases or its initial velocity decreases. Ballistic curves for different projectiles show that the difference between projectiles behavior decreases in higher impact velocities. Because of target shear failure in blunt projectile impact, the amount of target absorbed energy for this projectile is less than other projectiles in higher impact velocities away from ballistic limit velocity.
Volume 14, Issue 16 (Forth Special Issue 2015)
Abstract
In this paper, the tensile properties of 2D woven glass epoxy composite reinforced by two different nanoparticles have been investigated and compared. Hand lay-up method has been used to manufacture nanocomposites with 12 layers of 2D woven glass fibers with 40% fiber volume fraction. The nano-epoxy resin system is made of epon 828 resin with jeffamine D400 as the curing agent. The composites were reinforced by adding organically modified montmorillonite nanoclay (Closite 30B) and nanosilica (SiO2) particles. The nanoclay particles were dispersed into the epoxy system in a 0%, 3%, 5%, 7% and 10% ratio in weight with respect to the matrix, while the spherical nanosilica particles were dispersed into the epoxy system in a 0%, 0.5%, 1% and 3% ratio in weight with respect to the matrix. The results show that low loading of nanoclay decreases the mechanical properties of nanocomposite, while significant improvements of nanocomposite mechanical properties are shown in low loading of nanosilica. Tensile strength and toughness of nanocomposite increase by 7% and 10% after adding 5 wt.% nanoclay. Loading of 0.5 wt.% nanosilica cause 10% and 27% improvement in tensile strength and toughness of nanocomposite.
Volume 15, Issue 1 (3-2015)
Abstract
This paper, experimentally evaluates the effects of indenter geometry on quasi-static perforation process of laminated woven glass epoxy composites. Low loading rate tests were performed, using six indenters with blunt, hemispherical, conical (cone angle of 37˚ and 90˚) and ogival (caliber radius head of 1.5 and 2.5) nose shapes. Composite behaviors like energy absorption, contact force, failure mechanisms and friction force were investigated for different indenter shapes. Hand lay-up method has been used to manufacture composite targets with 18 layers of 2D woven glass fibers of 45% fiber volume fraction. The epoxy system is made of epon 828 resin with jeffamine D400 as the curing agent. The results show that the load displacement curve is divided to five areas. Some of these areas may have higher or lower magnitude, depending on indenter nose shape. The highest contact force is exhibited by unsharpened indenter. The lowest contact force and so the best performance is seen in ogival (CRH=2.5) indenter. Comparing absorbed energies shows that for an identical dent depth, the amount of absorbed energy is major for unsharpened indenters. The 37˚ conical indenter needs the highest energy for perforation, which is 2.6 times more than blunt indenter’s.
Volume 16, Issue 2 (4-2016)
Abstract
In this article bubbly flow under the specified axial pressure gradient in a curved channel is studied numerically. To do so, a second order parallelized front-tracking/finite-difference method based on the projection algorithm is implemented to solve the governing equations including the full Navier-Stokes and continuity equations in the cylindrical coordinates system using a uniform staggered grid well fitted to the geometry concerned. In the absence of gravity the mid-plane parallel to the curved duct plane, which is the symmetry plane in the single fluid flow inside the curved duct, separates the bubbly flow into two different flow regions not interacting with each other. Twelve bubbles with diameters of 0.125 wall units are distributed in the equally spaced distances from each other. The numerical results obtained indicate that for the cases studied here, the bubbles reach the statistical steady state with an almost constant final orbital motion path due to the strong secondary field. Furthermore, the effects of different physical parameters such as Reynolds number, and curvature ratio on the flow field at the no slip boundary conditions, are investigated in detail.
Volume 16, Issue 90 (August 2019)
Abstract
Chocolate is a unique food and one of the important sources of biologically active substances which have shown a special antioxidant effect in the human body. In recent years, with the advent of functional foods, researchers are seeking to strengthen micronutrient products to increase their health effects. The proposed research is for the enrichment of chocolate, oleaster powder in levels of 5, 10, 15 and 20% instead of sugar. The researchers proved that oleaster is rich of polyphenols, flavonoids, vitamins, tannins and especially fibers. And used in traditional medicine as an anti-nausea drug due to its high tannin content. In this study, to increase the antioxidant and sensory properties, Mentha extract with constant dose added to all treatments and functional chocolate was produced. The results of the experiments indicated that polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins increased, as well as an increase in the free radical DPPH concentration in the presence of oleaster powder. In this research, due to the positive effect of tannin in eliminating nausea, the tannins and the kinetics of its decomposition (constant K) and the half-life of tannin T1/2 in chocolate were measured that the results indicate that this composition is stable in mint chocolate. Due to the undesirable gass taste caused by high tannin, the mint extract had a positive effect on improving the sensory properties and the mind of the audience was primarily concerned with the mild extract coldness. According to the results, this product can use as a nutritional and nutritional health enhancer.
Volume 16, Issue 93 (November 2019)
Abstract
Pineapple due to nutrients is a desirable option to improve the nutritional value of supplemented products. In this study, due to the increasing importance of production and use of enriched baking products. The effect of size of parts (0.5, 1 and 1.5 cm cubic meters) and the percentage of fruits (10, 12.5 and 15 percent) on the quality of muffin properties were investigated. For this purpose, a completely randomized design was used and the mean of Duncan test was used at 5% level. Increasing the size of parts and percentage of fruit in muffin formulation resulted in decreased specific volume, water activity, pH and fiber and moisture content in the samples compared to the control sample. There was no significant difference between the values of skin color components with control. According to the results of this study, the treatment containing 15% of pineapple fruits with 0.5 cm cubic meters was introduced as the best treatment and had the highest overall acceptance level for consumers. According to the results, the use of pineapple fruit has been effective in improving the physico-chemical and sensory properties of the muffin samples. Sensory evaluation also showed that adding different amounts of pineapple fruit to muffin formulations significantly reduced the texture index, flavor, color and overall acceptance by increasing the replacement percentage of the produced product compared to the control sample.
Volume 16, Issue 94 (December 2019)
Abstract
Nowadays, consumption of non-dairy-based desserts with a variety of flavors compounds is growing, that are consumed by different age groups due to nutritional value and organoleptic properties. The objective of this study was to investigate the optimization of non-dairy dessert formulations based on almond milk. Additives in three levels of sugar (2, 3, and 4%), pectin (0.5, 0.6 and 0.7%) and gelatin (0.4, 0.5 and 0.6%) were used to produce desserts. Then, the physicochemical properties of the produced dessert including pH, syneresis, viscosity, texture and colorimetric parameters of the produced dessert were measured. The results showed that by increasing the percentage of pectin and sugar, the index L* decreased, by increasing the percentage of gelatin and pectin, a* decreases and by increasing pectin percentage, b* decreased and the effect of gelatin increase was not significant. Increasing the percentage of gelatin and pectin in all levels of sugar has increased the stiffness of dessert samples. By comparing the average values of the stiffness of the dessert texture produced at the fixed levels of gelatin and pectin, it can be concluded that sugar content has a significant effect on the stiffness of the dessert texture after production, and increasing the sugar content, pectin and gelatin increases the stiffness of the texture. In all levels of sugar, the viscosity of desserts increased with increasing gelatin and pectin percentages. By increasing the percentage of gelatin and pectin, the pH decreased. The addition of gelatin and pectin, especially in high concentrations, significantly reduced syneresis.
Volume 16, Issue 97 (March 2020)
Abstract
Pumpkins prevent the occurrence of all types of cancers due to the wealthiest micronutrients and high levels of 30% carotenoids. Regarding the high nutritional value and low consumption in the community, the primary objective of this research is to optimize the formulation of a new non-leavened dessert based on the pumpkin, which drives from hydrocolloids (Persian gum, xanthan, and carboxymethyl cellulose) in dessert formulation. In order to determine the dessert treatments, mixed design and software Design Expert 11 for three components of Persian gum (0-5%), xanthan gum (0-5%) and carboxymethyl cellulose (0-5%) use. After preparing the dessert, physicochemical tests (moisture, Dyeing, aw, and colorimetric) evaluate. The results showed that the lower humidity and water activity and the syneresis rate are more desirable that cause with decreasing xanthan and CMC and increasing Persian gum. Considering that more index b * is desirable in pumpkin dessert, so increasing the xanthan CMC and decreasing Persian gum cause the a* value be more and by decreasing xanthan and increasing CMC and decreasing Persian gum b* value was more.
Volume 17, Issue 3 (5-2015)
Abstract
Peanut plants showing mottling, yellow and necrotic spots on leaves were collected from peanut fields in Golestan province. Electron microscopic studies revealed the presence of flexuous filamentous particles ca. 700 nm in length, which was suggestive of a potyvirus infection. Healthy Nicotiana benthamiana plants mechanically inoculated with sap from infected peanut plants showed mottling, downward leaf curling, and wrinkling of the leaves. The virus was transmitted by Myzus persicae in a non-persistent manner to healthy N. benthamiana, on which symptoms were observed two weeks later. RT-PCR using an Oligo-dT and a NIb primer set resulted in a fragment of about 1093 bp, which comprised the complete coat protein (CP) gene and 3´-non-coding region. Analysis of its CP nucleotide and amino acid sequence revealed 98-99% similarity and 95-99% identity to those of Peanut mottle virus (PeMoV) isolated from other countries, respectively. The molecular data confirmed serological, vector transmission, and electron microscopic findings on the incidence of PeMoV in Iran. Additionally, sequence and phylogenetic analyses of the CP revealed clustering of Iranian PeMoV isolate with Asian/Australian isolates.
Volume 18, Issue 6 (11-2016)
Abstract
Microbial detoxification is considered as one of the most common methods used for the elimination of aflatoxins. Reports indicate that S. cerevisiae can be effective in removing aflatoxins through the adsorption of aflatoxins to their cell wall. In the current research, the ability of S. cerevisiae (viable, acid-, heat- and ultrasound-treated yeasts) to bind aflatoxin M1 was assessed in yoghurt. To this end, firstly, recombinant milk containing 12% solids, non-fat skimmed milk powder was prepared. Next, the samples were spiked by aflatoxin M1 using different concentrations (100, 500 and 750 pg mL-1). When the starter bacteria were added to the milk, the treated yeasts were added as well. The concentration of aflatoxin M1 residue in the supernatant of the yoghurt samples after different storage times (1, 7, 14 and 21 days) was measured using the ELISA method. The results showed that all treatments containing viable, acid-, heat-, ultrasound-treated yeast and starter bacteria were able to adsorb aflatoxin M1, and the ability of the treated yeast was significant as compared with the control (P< 0.05). Among the treated yeasts, the ability of the acid-treated yeasts was higher in toxin binding. Overall, it can be concluded that using S. cerevisiae for the biological adsorption of aflatoxin M1 is effective in fermented dairy products.
Volume 18, Issue 111 (May 2021)
Abstract
Cake is a favorite snack of the consumer's broad spectrum of age, which has high levels of fat and sugar in its formula, which results in high calorie foods. Inulin is one of the best carbohydrate-based fat substitutes. Inulin is characterized by the ability to form microcrystals in water. It is very suitable for the formation of creamy texture and providing a feeling similar to the fat. One of the ways to reduce the sugar intake is the use of fruit juice with a sweet taste. Due to its natural sweetness and distinctive taste, easy digestion and high levels of sugar in various food products, dates have been considered. The aim of this study was to investigate the replacement of sugar with date palm and the replacement of fat with inulin on the physical and chemical properties of oil cake and optimization of formulation in order to produce pericyclic product with reduced fat and lower content of sucrose. In this study sugar cake formulation was replaced in four levels including 0, 20, 40 and 60% with date syrup. The oil was replaced with four levels of 0, 20, 40 and 60% with inulin. Replacing cake oil with inulin, in addition to reduce the textural parameters of the cake, increase the pH of the cake and and brightened the cake crust, while reducing the yellowness of the crust. Optimization results showed that formula sugar up to 19% with date syrup and oil up to 34% can be replaced with inulin.
Volume 19, Issue 76 (4-2022)
Abstract
This research aimed to demonstrate that Ali, a Muslim Volga Bulgar poet, drew inspiration from Bahr al-Mahabbah fi Asrar al-Mavaddah and al-Settin al-Jame' le-Lataif al-Basatin (or Qissa-I Yusuf) in composing Qissa’i Yusuf (The Story of Joseph). Then, the author's writing style and method of adaptation of the two works were analyzed. In so doing, the French School of Comparative Literature, which is based on direct effect, was utilized. This study asserts that Ali's Qissa’i Yusuf has many similarities with and few differences from Bahr al-Mahabbah and al-Settin al-Jame' in the plot narrative (and even sub-narratives). Moreover, some parts are entirely similar to the two said works in expression and the arrangement of story details. In some non-fictional aspects, he has also adapted the two works. In some instances, in addition to similarity with al-Settin al-Jame' in expression, Ali has used its Persian words in his book. Ali has also pointed out that he was proficient in Persian and Arabic. In general, it seems that Ali has considered the two works and, in disagreements, has gathered and versified the narratives of the two works together, and at times has selected a more detailed narrative, and wherever appropriate, he has elaborated on emotional dialogues and descriptions.
Volume 19, Issue 122 (April 2022)
Abstract
Cakes are one of the products in which fat substitutes can be used to reduce calories. Fat replacer Gel (FRG) is a compound that has the same functional properties, stability, physical and chemical properties as fats, but produces fewer calories per gram than fats. The fat replacement gel is composed of a combination of fat, fat substitute premix (FRP) and water. Fat replacer premix containing WPC, maltodextrin and inulin, and different concentrations of premix were used in the cake batter. The response surface statistical method was used to optimize the formulation and the dough viscosity and cake hardness were used to evaluate the model and select the optimal formula. Under optimal conditions, the results of dough viscosity, specific dough density, cake volume and sensory evaluation were evaluated using SPSS software. The variables of water, FRP and fat were linearly and quadratically affected by dough viscosity and hardness, respectively. Interaction was observed between water and FRP and there was no significant difference between dough viscosity and measured and predicted hardness. Optimal production conditions were determined as 70.42% water, 1.50% FRP and 10.28% fat. Some physical and chemical properties of dough and cake were compared with the control sample under optimal conditions. The results showed that the viscosity and specific density of the optimal dough were higher than the control. The optimal cake volume and moisture content was higher compared to the control sample. There was no significant difference between control and optimal cake in terms of hardness and color and sensory evaluation. The results showed using fat replacer gel (FRG) as a fat substitute can reduce the amount of fat by about 76% of its initial amount, without causing undesirable quality changes in the final product.