---

This research aimed to explain and validate the green curriculum’s (GC) characteristics based on the critical competencies of education for the 21st century. Hence, a mixed research method was used. In the qualitative section, being used for identifying characteristics of GC, experts who have scientific experience(s) related to sustainability in Iran's higher education system were selected using snowball sampling, data were collected and analyzed through semi-structured interviews and content analysis, respectively. The validity of the identified GC characteristics was examined quantitatively based on the Lawshe method. In this section, based on the Lawshe method, 40 faculty members and doctoral students in educational sciences were selected using simple random sampling to evaluate the characteristics’ appropriateness by a three-level scale. Based on the results, 50 characteristics were extracted from the interviews and the documents. However, two of them were not acceptable based on the Lawshe method. Moreover, results revealed that each of the five competencies defined for education in the 21st century (including learning to know, learning to be, learning to do, learning to live together, and learning to transform oneself and society) is aligned with several characteristics of the green curriculum. Finally, some of our suggestions to operationalize the mentioned competencies in the format of GC can be offered as follow; considering environmental management in academic curricula in various fields, defining practical projects for students to apply whatever they have learned, encouraging students to communicate with environmental organizations, and also global research communities to widen their horizons toward environmental issues.
 

---

The beet cyst nematode (BCN) (Heterodera schachtii), and beet curly top virus-severe (BCTV-Svr) (Curtovirus betae) are two important pathogens of sugar beet fields worldwide. Therefore, the reaction of 14 genotypes was separately assessed, using Jolgeh and Sanetta cultivars as susceptible and resistant controls, respectively, in completely randomized design experiments for BCN and BCTV-Svr. Reactions were based on the cyst and egg counts and symptoms severity index. Experiments were performed in the greenhouse of Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran, and were repeated twice independently. Based on the results of initial experiments, the S1-960090, S1-940324, S1-960294, and S1-960284 genotypes resistant to the BCN were selected for further investigation. Furthermore, the reaction of the four selected genotypes to BCN, BCTV-Svr, and the combination (mixture) of the two pathogens was evaluated by analyzing their growth, physiological, and biochemical characteristics, and virus accumulation. Resistant genotypes showed higher levels of defense-related enzymes such as catalase, guaiacol peroxidase, and polyphenol oxidase, whereas susceptible genotypes exhibited significant reductions in photosynthesis, greenness, and chlorophyll a, b, and carotenoid content compared to non-inoculated and resistant plants. This is the first study conducted to search for dual-resistance sources against two devastating pathogens that frequently occur in the sugar beet-growing regions of Iran. Based on the results of this experiment, genotypes S1-960090 and S1-940324 were identified as resistant to both pathogens and are recommended for breeding purposes.
 

---

---

Abstract Introduction: Measles virus (MV) belongs to the morbilivirus genus of paramyxoviridae family, and has single stranded, negative polarity, non segmented RNA genome. Method: In this research, the total RNA was extracted of measles virus (AIK-C) vaccine strain. The extracted RNA was immediately used in reverse transcription reaction to generate cDNA. The 1st strand cDNA was used to amplify the F gene by specific primers in a reaction PCR. The PCR product with the expected size of 1662 bp was cloned into expression plasmids pET-22b(+) and pET-28a(+). The recombinant plasmids were transformed into competent E.coli DH5α cells and clonies were screened with direct PCR. The recombinant plasmids were extracted by Alkaline lysis and were compared with non- recombinant plasmids in molecular weight. Results: Recombinant plasmids were digested with Nde I and Hind III restriction enzymes. The DNA band with an approximate size of 1662 bp was detected on 1.5% agarose gel. The recombinant plasmid pET-28a(+) was sequenced, comparison of this sequence with the coding sequence F protein of measles virus (AIK-C) in Genbank (AF266286) was revealed high degree of homology and showed that F gene is highly conserved. Conclusion: It was showed that F gene is highly conserved. Thus F gene is important for studing in order to produce recombinant vaccine.

---

Today, most experts agree that in the highly competitive world, product line or technology are not even more considered as competitive advantage for organizations but on the other hand, HR and manager’s ability to manage people in an organization brings about superiority for an organization among others. Therefore, the development of this valuable resource is considered to be vital for the organization. Staff training and Development constitutes a strategic and important issue for an organization that through this, organizations human capital is transformed into permanent capital. While the importance and necessity of designing and implementing training in organizations has become popularity and everyone agrees on it, what has become extremely important in this matter is effectively Evaluation of training programs. Accordingly, at the present study we used the return on investment model to assess training courses at Saipa Company’s Maintenance unit. Results showed that the rate of return on investment for these courses was 35.6%. In addition, employees transmission reduction, increased employee job satisfaction, increased customer satisfaction, employee absenteeism reduction, employee progress, employee turnover reduction, increased employee engagement and decreased rate of occupational accidents has also sought for the organization as intangible benefits.

---

The scientific view and analysis of folk culture causes to the understanding and recognition of nature of internal elements and factors in fluential in the process of oral culture. Storytelling is one of the oldest forms of oral folk literature. In ancient times, the storytellers used to transfer their history, traditions, religion, customs, heroism, and ethnic Pride from one generation to other generation. Basically, the story is created and objected when it is quoted from the language of its narrator. The storyteller or narrator finds his/her ego in the story, and in order to attract the reader or listener, employs the best of his/ her artistic taste and talent to help to further define the story. This cause changes in the structure and content of the story. The present study explores the role of story teller in the formation of the story, and seeks to find the teasons encouraging to make changes in course of creating a story. A note worthy point obsersved the authors during the recording and collecting the collecting the Amureh stories within the last two decades is that there are a huge lurden of various narrations of a single story due to the multiplicity of story tellers and their possible manipulation of the story.

---

Background: Salmonella typhimurium is one of the most important species of Salmonella that is intracellular parasite and attacks host mucus membrane. These bacteria can cause gastroenteritis, and their main transmission route is water, poultry, meat, egg, and raw food. The aim of this study was to detect three virulence genes associated with S. typhimurium named invA, STM4497, and fliC183 genes by Multiplex PCR method.
Materials and Methods: 183 samples of poultry were collected from food products in Zanjan (Iran) and cultured in BPW (Buffered Peptone Water) for 18 hr and at 37°C, and in RVS broth (Rappaport Vassiliadis Soya) for 6 hr at 41.5°C. After amplification of genomic DNA by Multiplex PCR method, occurrence of pathogen contamination was checked and compared with standard strain.
Results: From the total of 183 collected samples, 52(28.4%) samples were positive for S. typhimurium. The frequency of STM4497, fliC183, and invA genes were 49 (27%), 3 (2%), and 53 (29%), respectively.
Conclusion: Simultaneous detection of invA, STM4497, and fliC183 genes were recognized as a key for detection of S. typhimurium by Multiplex PCR method. 

---

Germination is a critical stage in the life cycle of plants and often controls population dynamics, with major practical implications. Salsola arbusculiformis is one of the most important plants used to prevent soil erosion and a good fodder resource for sheep and goat in the rangelands of Iran. However, the species seems to have low seed germination, so the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different treatments to improve its seed germination. Three concentrations of gibberellic acid (100, 500 and 1000 ppm), mechanical scarification with sandpaper, concentrated sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄ (98%)), potassium nitrate (KNO₃ (0.2%)), thiourea one Molar, four prechilling periods (10, 20, 30 and 150 days at 2 °C) were used as study treatments and distilled water as control. The results showed that there were significant differences (p<0.05) among and within the treatments in their effects on seed germination. The effective treatments to stimulate seed germination were prechilling for 150 and 30 days; sulphuric acid and sandpaper scarification. Prechilling for 150 and 30 days increased germination by 88.4% and 85.65%, respectively, while sulphuric acid and sandpaper scarification both increased germination by 76.1% compared to the control. The results also showed that gibberellic acid, potassium nitrate and thiourea did not promote seed germination. It was inferred that the most effective treatments among the methods used for breaking seed dormancy of Salsola arbusculiformis were prechilling for 150 days and mechanical scarification by hand with sandpaper.

---

In historical studies, period is a regulative concept. It helps historians of arts and sciences classify historical information. In most literary histories, periodization is the most essential basis of division. Periodization also was applied in literary studies like rhetorics. For example, Shawqi Zaif has divided the history of Islamic-Arabic rhetorics into periods. In this article, we are to propose a schema for periodization of history of Persian rhetorics. System of Persian rhetorics was originally derived from Arabic rhetorics but the quality and quantity of adaptation in different periods wasn’t the same. In some cases, Persian rhetoricians came up with important innovations in periodization and sometimes they made use of rhetorics of the other civilizations for instance Indian rhetorics in order to study aesthetical aspects of Persian literature. Base on the historical era they were living in and the similarities of their approaches, we can distinguish four different periods: 1. Localization Period: This period, as the first period of Persian rhetorics, includes the most important books of Persian rhetorics: Tarjoman al-balaqa, Hadaeq al-sehr, and Al-mo’jam fi ma’air ash’ar al-ajam; 2. Interpretation and Imitation Period: Most of rhetoric books in this period are interpretations of previous period; 3. Pseudo- Indian Period: In this period, a few rhetoricians try to apply Indian rhetorics to Persian literature; 4. Scholastic Period: The last period is a contemporary one and includes new rhetorical textbooks.

---

Symptoms of the leaf scorch disease on the leaves of oleander infected by Xylella fastidiosa appearing for the first time in Lebanon were confirmed by ELISA tests and anatomical observations of sections of petioles by a scanning electron microscope. Xylella fastidiosa was detected in the xylem forming bacterial aggregates in the lumen of tracheary elements. The bacterium colonizes and invades the conducting tissues degrading pit membranes (PMs) of tracheary elements. Dense networks of fibrillar material and tyloses, originating from the plant, as a defense mechanism form around the bacterial aggregates to limit the movement of the pathogen. The bacterial aggregates that plug the tracheary elements and the tyloses produced by the infected oleander plants cause water stress and consequently leaf scorch symptoms. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of Xylella fastidiosa in Lebanon.

---

---

Pauesia antennata Mukerji (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) as the unique parasitoid of the giant brown peach aphid, Pterochloroides persiace Cholodkovsky (Hemiptera, Aphididae) is considered to be the most effective biological control agent of this pest. In this study, the assessment of selected biological parameters of P. antennata demonstrated that the longevity of mature parasitoid was 3.90 ± 0.22, the developmental time was 14.48 ± 1.05 and the life span was 19.46 ± 0.68 days. The maximum flight activity and oviposition were observed at the second and third days of the parasitoid lifespan. The parasitism, emergence rates and the sex ratio were affected by the variations in the number of P. persicae relative to each population of the parasitoid.

---

This study tries to make a distinction between factors affecting adopters and non-adopters of domestic rainwater harvesting (DRWH) in Golestan Province, Iran. In order to better comprehend the differences, nine dimensions were considered in this study, including (1) social background (including respondents’ demographics, water sources, issues in accessing water sources, primary awareness of the DRWH systems, information communication channels, and their dwellings characteristics), (2) economic and financial scale (including construction, maintenance, investment rate of return), (3) scale (including law and regulation) (4) social scale (effect of social determiners on person’s decision making), (5) compliance with every day’s needs,(6) past experience, (7) image (importance of adopting DRWH systems on person’s social image and position), (8) providence (person’s outlook of the future), and (9) risk adoption. Results show that the surveyed groups vary remarkably in terms of considered dimensions. It seems that lack of experience and observation are the underlying reason of low adoption rate in this area.

---

Research subject: The sensitivity of electrical conductivity of rubber/conductive filler composites against swelling strains is a phenomenon that can lead to the creation of sensors to detect the type or leakage of hydrocarbon liquids. In the swollen conductive composites, the variation of filler network structure reduces the Statistical frequency of the tunneling and interconnection of conductive particles. This behavior can be a sign for a solvent or hydrocarbon fuel detector system in a flexible sensors.
Research approach: In this study, nitrile rubber/graphite composite samples with several concentrations (20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80phr) of graphite particles were prepared and their electrical characteristics were measured. The changes in the electrical resistance of nitrile rubber /graphite samples were investigated based on increasing the content of graphite particles, immerse to toluene, and repeating the period of the swelling/recovery process for each sample.
Main results: The sensitivity of composites with higher concentrations than the percolation threshold (53.5phr of graphite particles) to the conductivity changes due to the swelling phenomenon is appropriate for use in the sensor. Also, incremental changes in the electrical resistance of the samples immersed in the toluene solvent were measured and it was observed that all the samples were eventually converted to electrical insulation. In order to study the repeatability performance of sensor, samples with 60, 70 and 80phr of filler were swelled and recovered for three periods, which is less than the conductivity of the sample before the second and third swelling process compared to the conductivity before the first one. This difference is very small in the sample containing 80phr of graphite particles. The trend of change in electrical resistance is significantly different in the second swelling process compared to the primary swelling. But there is little difference between the third swelling process and the second one. This phenomenon has occurred for all three samples, which can be observed to be similar to Mullins effect.

---

Aim: Every year, a huge number of incidents of irreparable damage to personnel and industries occur, most of which are predictable with identifying hazards as well as risk assessment and control. Therefore, in order to prevent occupational accidents, the automotive industry is one of the top priorities for evaluating and identifying the hazards.
Methods: The purpose of this study is to identify, control and rank the hazards of actions and processes in the hazardous automotive industry. This descriptive-analytical study was carried out in 2017 in one unit of Iran Khodro Company by using FMEA method. Also to accurately assess the health risks and make decisions for corrective actions to prioritize hazard risks, Wiliam Fine and AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process) methods were used, respectively.
Findings: In this research, a list of 301 risks in 7 units including cutting line, assembly line, prototyping and modification, manufacturing, packaging, quality control, laboratory, and repair and maintenance were provided. The results of FMEA method indicated that the highest risk priority number (RPN) is related to the risks of particle swirling in grinding operations (336). Moreover, based on the results of William Fine method, the exposure to noise in the Kissing & Wessich Sersim Strandbauft operation was rated at 540 and 500, respectively, with the highest risk of evaluation. The risk of exposure to noise (Kicking operation) with a relative weight of 0/1904 was ranked the first.
Conclusion: The results of the hazard analysis showed that the effect of noise pollution that leads to hearing impairment in the staff is very high.

---

The effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on the immune response, biochemical parameters and serum enzymes in adult male and female goldfish during breeding season was investigated. Mature male and female received an intramuscular injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) 1/ IU hCG g/ BW and the control group was injected with saline solution. Twelve and 24 hours after hCG injection, blood samples were taken from broodstock and immune parameters (IgM, IgG, C3, C4), biochemical and enzymes (glucose, uric acid, urea, cholesterol, total protein, triglycerides, calcium, creatinine, albumin, HDL, LDL, AST and ALT) were measured. There were no significant changes in IgM levels in females between 12 and 24 hours after hCG injection compared to the control group (P>0.05). However, IgM level in male showed a gradual decrease in comparison to control fish (P<0.05). On the other hand, the concentration of IgM and C4 complement decreased by passing time after hCG injection in both male and female (P<0.05). The C3 complement dramatically increased after hCG injection in both male and female (P<0.05). Injection of human chorionic gonadotropin caused a significant change in serum biochemical and enzyme in both male and female. The results showed that the hCG hormone even in a single dose within a short time after injection, strongly stimulate the immune system and changes physiological condition of adult male and female goldfish.

---

 Research subject: Low solubility of pharmaceutical compounds leads to increasing the required drug dosage and their side effects as well as reducing their therapeutic efficiency. Producing pharmaceutical micro/nanoparticles with homogenous morphology and narrow size distribution is one of the confirmed approaches for their solubility enhancement. So, selection and designing an appropriate method for this purpose is one of the most important research fields of pharmaceutical industries. Over the past three decades, supercritical carbon dioxide (sc-CO₂) based methods as a clean and green technologies have been received much attention in various fields of pharmaceutical industries. However, in order to design and development of these methods for producing micro/nanoparticles, determination of the compounds solubility in sc-CO₂ is essential.
Research approach: In this research, well known empirical models (Adachi and Lu, Ch and Madras, Hozahzbr et al., Bian et al., Mendez-Santiago-Teja), as well as the artificial neural network model were applied for prediction the solubility of six anticancer drugs (Aprepitant, 5-Fluorouracil, Imatinib mesylate, Capecitabine, Letrozole, Docetaxel) in sc-CO₂.
 In order to evaluate the accuracy of these models, a comparison was made between the calculated solubility values and the available experimental data, based on several statistical criteria, such as the average absolute relative deviation (AARD%), adjusted correlation coefficient (R_adj) and F-value.
Main results: According to obtained results, Adachi and Lu model with AARD% value of 12.12% and R_adj value of 0.97 provided acceptable results for solubility of mentioned drugs in sc-CO₂. Also, in comparison between empirical and artificial neural network models, the latter one with AARD% value of 1.65% and R_adj value of 0.9960 was appointed as the most appropriate model for correlation of drugs solubility data.

---

اجداد هندیان و ایرانیان به دو گروه از خدایان (اهورا و دیوای اوستایی) اعتقاد داشتند. در ایران دیوها از مقام خدایی به ضد خدایی تنزل مرتبه می‏یابند و اهوراها در مقام خدایی باقی می‏مانند و در هند عکس آن اتفاق می‏افتد. با توجه به سیر بسیار کند تغییر در اعتقادات و نگرش‏ها، آیا ممکن است قومی که در گذشته اعتقاد به خدایی دیوان داشته، چنان تغییر عقیده داده باشد که هیچ قرینه‏ای بر خدایی دیوان نتوان یافت؟ شواهدی وجود دارد که نشان می‏دهد دیوها برای قرن‏ها توسط اجداد ما پرستش می‏شده‏اند. به منظور آشکار کردن یکی از این شواهد به بررسی نام محل‏های جغرافیایی پرداخته شد. انسان‏ها برای محل زیست و عوارض طبیعی پیرامونشان نامی بر می‏گزینند. این نامگذاری‏ها تصادفی نبوده‏اند (وجه تسمیه‏ای داشته‏اند)، گرچند با گذر زمان وجه تسمیه به دست فراموشی سپرده می‌شود. «دیو» به صورت پیش‏وند و یا پسوند در ساختار نام تعدادی از روستاها، شهرها و عوارض طبیعی ایران وجود دارد. از 130 مورد نام جغرافیایی یافت شده که دیو در ساختار آنها حضور دارد، 34 مورد مربوط به دو استان‏ گیلان و مازندران است و 96 مورد دیگر در سایر نقاط کشور پراکنده شده است. این تفاوت از نظر آماری معنادار است یعنی نام‏های یافت شده به طور غیر تصادفی در دو استان شمالی کشور قرار گرفته‏اند (2=27.19, df=1, P<0.001). یافته پژوهش حاضر که نشان دهنده حضور بسیار معنی‏دار و غیر تصادفی واژه «دیو» در نام‏ محل‏های جغرافیایی مازندران و گیلان است، شایان اهمیت است و بررسی‏های بیشتری می‏طلبد.

---

Aims: Infectious diseases are among the most serious diseases that may lead to death in many parts of the world. This study was conducted to investigate the main causes of mortality among patients hospitalized in the infectious ward and respiratory ICU of Sina hospital in Hamadan.
Materials & Methods: The medical records of patients hospitalized from March 2012 to March 2017 in the infectious ward and respiratory ICU were investigated, those not surviving during the hospitalization.
Findings: A total of 593 medical records of patients were reviewed, of which 534 cases were enrolled in this study. Among which, 426 (79.8 %) and 108 (20.2%)cases were related to patients hospitalized in the respiratory ICU and infectious ward, respectively The mortality rate during 2012 to 2016 was calculated as follows: 4.69% in 2012, 6.31% in 2013, 4.68% in 2014, 5.2% in 2015, and 5.8% in 2016. This study results showed that the most common causes of mortality were sepsis (44.4%) in the respiratory ICU and pneumonia (25.3%) in the infectious ward. The highest rates of case fatality were related to sepsis (237cases, 48.2%) and pulmonary embolism (15 cases, 44.1%).
Conclusions: The present study findings showed that sepsis and pneumonia were the most common causes of death among patients hospitalized in the infectious diseases ward and respiratory ICU; also, sepsis and pulmonary embolism accounted for the highest case fatality rates.

---

Research subject: In the present study, titanium dioxide/silver nanocomposites (TiO₂/Ag) were synthesized by sol-gel method and their performance for photocatalytic removal of metribuzin was compared with commercial TiO₂ catalysts P25 Degussa.
Research approach: The synthesized nanocomposites were evaluated using X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The effect of operating parameters including reaction time (0-240 minutes), pH (9-4), catalyst dose (0.005-0.015 g), temperature (10-60 ºC), visible light and UV light radiation, concentration Initial metribuzin (10-25 mg/L), the catalyst effect in the dark, and the amount of silver in TiO₂/Ag nanocomposites (0.10-7% by weight) were investigated on the photocatalytic removal of metribuzin from artificial and real aqueous solutions.
Main results: Laboratory investigations showed that TiO₂/Ag nanocomposite containing 10% by weight of silver, reaction time of 120 minutes, pH equal to 6, catalyst mass of 0.013 g, and initial concentration of 10 mg/L metribuzin are the best properties to maximize the removal of metribuzin in the presence of UV light. The obtained results showed that the synthesized TiO₂/Ag nanocomposite has a higher potential in the degradation of herbicides compared to the commercial TiO₂ nano-catalyst. In addition, the proposed method was used to remove metribuzin injected into the water of the Karun and Zohreh rivers and the wastewater of the sugarcane factory under optimal conditions, and successful results were obtained. Also, the results of using and regenerating the titanium dioxide/silver catalyst three times to remove metribuzin show the high efficiency of this photocatalyst in removing metribuzin from water samples. Comparing the methods available in the literature for the removal of metribuzin with the present method showed that the proposed method is better or comparable to the reported methods.