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The silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Hem.: Aleyrodidae), is a key pest of greenhouse crops. Nymphs and adults feed on plant sap and excrete honeydew, resulting in reduction of yield and quality. This pest has a high potential for developing resistant biotypes against different insecticides. Therefore, it is necessary to study the efficacy of different categories of insecticides against B. tabaci. In this research, efficacy of imidacloprid (0.5 l/ha), thiacloprid + deltamethrin (0.75 l/ha), pyrethrum (4 l/ha) andthiamethoxam + lambda-cyhalothrin (0.3 and 0.4 l/ha) with four replications were studied in a completely randomized block design in Yazd and Bushehr provinces of Iran. Mean (± SE) efficacy of imidacloprid, thiacloprid + deltamethrin, pyrethrum andthiamethoxam + lambda-cyhalothrin (0.3 and 0.4 l/ha) were 73.42 ± 3.41, 89.57 ± 2.86, 90.29 ± 2.79, 68.13 ± 3.37 and 75.62 ± 3.76% against B. tabaci nymphs 7 days after treatment in Yazd, respectively; while in Bushehr, they were 57.30 ± 3.37, 68.45 ± 4.65, 64.17 ± 2.87, 30.0 ± 4.56 and 53.0 ± 3.35%, respectively. Thiacloprid + deltamethrin, pyrethrum and thiamethoxam + lambda-cyhalothrin (at 0.4 l/ha) can be suitable candidates in IPM programs of B. tabaci.

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To study the fauna of oribatid mites (Oribatida) in Sistan & Baluchestan province (southeastern Iran), soil and leaf litter samples were collected in Saravan and Gulshan counties from March to September 2021. In total, 40 species belonging to 30 genera from 18 families were collected and identified, among them genera Hoplophorella, Javacarus, subgenera Leptogalumna, Paralamellobates, and seven species, Acrotritia rustica Niedbała, 1991, Hoplophorella vitrina (Berlese, 1913), Javacarus foliatus Hammer, 1972, Lamellobates misella (Berlese, 1910), Rostrozetes ovulum ovulum (Berlese, 1908), Striatoppia cf. quadrilineata Hammer, 1982, and Scheloribates praelineatus Hammer, 1977 are newly recorded for the fauna of Iran.

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Aims: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is considered as an important opportunistic bacterial pathogen associated with nosocomial infections. Therefore, it is important to identify this bacterium in clinical samples and report the results to health authorities. The aim of this study was the molecular identification of some virulence factors and fosfomycin resistance genes in P. aeruginosa strains.
Materials & Methods: A total of 100 P. aeruginosa strains were isolated from clinical samples of patients with eye infections in three distinct laboratories in Tehran hospitals (Pars, Milad, and Motahari). The antibiogram of all isolates against eight antibiotics was determined by standard Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Then DNA was extracted from the isolates, and the frequency of exoY, exoT, exoU, exoS, fosC, fosB, and fosA genes was evaluated by multiplex PCR (polymerase chain reaction).
Findings: The highest resistance was observed to cotrimoxazole (85%), ceftazidime (83%), cefotaxime (79%), and cefepime (72%), and the highest sensitivity was observed to ciprofloxacin (55%), gentamicin (52%), and piperacillin (41%), respectively. Out of 60 investigated isolates, 58 isolates were positive for exoY, exoT, and exoU, while only four isolates were exoS positive. In addition, one strain (1.66%) had the fosC gene, two strains (3.33%) had the fosB gene, and 12 strains (20.02%) had the fosA gene.
Conclusion: The results showed that the frequency of fosfomycin resistance genes, whose protein product modifies the epoxide group of fosfomycin and reduces the effectiveness of this antibiotic, was significantly low in the investigated strains.

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Abstract This work aimed to identify the seismic behavior of buckling restrained braced frames (BRBFs). A six-story frame with buckling restrained braces was analyzed at different hazard levels. After the discussion of some aspects of BRBs, the results of detailed nonlinear dynamic analyses are examined to characterize the seismic behavior of the model building. Also the effect of near-field ground motions on the behavior of the model was studied. The results indicate that BRBFs behave quite well under seismic loads. However, there are some concerns about the performance of this system under more frequent lower intensity ground motions.

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Aim: According to experts, one of the ways to improve sustainable development in projects is to improve organizational capabilities related to the three dimensions of sustainable development in project-based organizations. The purpose of this study is to identify and assess the status of organizational capabilities for sustainable development in oil and gas project-based organizations in Iran.
Method: In order to in-depth study of sustainable development capabilities in context of Iranian oil and gas organizations, the case study strategy was used in eight Iranian oil and gas organizations. In order to collect information, 23 informants were selected and interviewed. According to the list of capabilities extracted from the literature and the preparation of a capability definition matrix, the interviewees were asked to describe the capabilities that exist in Iranian oil and gas project-based organizations in the field of sustainable development. The data obtained from the interview were coded by deductive qualitative content analysis.
Results: In the present study, the capabilities of sustainable development in oil and gas project-oriented organizations were identified in seven main categories of factors including process, structural, technological, cultural, knowledge, human, political and financial, and the relative status of these capabilities in Iranian oil and gas organizations was examined. The contribution of the present study is due to the fact that the capabilities were identified according to the specific context of Iranian oil and gas organizations, on the other hand, organizational capabilities in all three areas of environmental, social and economic at the same time have been examined.

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Masonry buildings with confined walls have performed well during the past earthquakes. The same cannot be said for unreinforced masonry walls. In the former buildings, even when damage occurs, falling roofs and losses of life do not usually follow. This is because confined masonry walls have higher strength ductility and are more stable. The Iranian Seismic Code (Standard 2800) makes the use of horizontal and vertical ties mandatory for masonry buildings. In spite of this, such confined walls have not been studied sufficiently. In this study, the nonlinear behavior of masonry walls is examined using finite element discretization. From the two types of modeling that are commonly used for the study of masonry material, namely macro- and micro- modelings, the latter are employed here. This is because such a model can provide more detailed information. Micro- models are the best tools available for understanding the behavior of masonry structures. They can depict all the failure mechanisms of the system. The behavior of mortar joints and masonry unit-mortar interface is lumped into a set of discontinuous elements. In this way, each joint, consisting of mortar and two unit-mortar interfaces, is modeled by a zero-thickness interface element. In other words, the masonry structure is modeled by a set of elastic blocks bonded together with potential fracture/slip lines at the joints. The composite interface model includes a tension cut-off for mode I failure, a coulomb friction envelope for mode II failure and a cap mode for compressive failure. For modeling the behavior of concrete, a model suggested by Thorenfeldt and Hordijk is used. For the longitudinal reinforcing bars, the failure criterion is that of Von Mises. The hardening of steel is also considered. The interface between the reinforced concrete members and the masonry units panel is modeled by the coulomb friction model including a tension cut-off mode. A parametric study is conducted for confined masonry walls by changing with different dimensions, boundary conditions and loading patterns. The results indicate that failure has one of the two failure modes: diagonal tension or rocking. In cantilever walls with rather large heights compared to their length, the failure mode is rocking. In the other cases, diagonal tension failure mode occurs. The use of tie also affects the capacity of the wall. This can be considered in the design of masonry structures. The results of nonlinear analyses show that deboning does not occur between the ties and the body of masonry walls. Therefore, in analytical studies, the adjoining nodes for the two parts can be merged. Upon determination of failure modes, different patterns of FRP were investigated for the dominant mode in order to select the most suitable pattern. The FRP configuration patterns considered for strengthening the wall were: 1. FRP in vertical direction; 2. FRP at both ends in vertical direction; 3. FRP in diagonal direction; 4. FRP covering the whole surface of the wall. The last pattern was considered only for reference as it cannot be justified because of the increased cost. In confined masonry walls with diagonal tension or rocking mode, the best strengthening configuration is diagonal. The increase in the capacity of strengthened walls with rocking and diagonal tension failure modes depends directly on the amount of FRP. In fact, the capacity increases from 1.2 to 2 for the walls with rocking mode. For the walls with diagonal tension mode, this increase is from 1.5 to 3.

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Executing the impedance control of a pneumatic actuator with solenoid on/off valves is the subject of this paper. Firstly, based on equations of the system, a method presented to enforce the pneumatic system to behave like a linear mass-damper-spring system with adjustable parameters. Based on this method, the desired force determined that is aimed to act on the movable rigid components. Then, with respect to the fact that both the pneumatic output force and its stiffness are functions of the chambers pressures, the desired pressure profile of the chambers have been derived that must be followed by the pressure control loop. The sliding mode approach used and beside it a new algorithm implemented to convert the control input to duty cycle of the on/off valves. The experimental tests show that the achievable range of impedance parameters is limited due to the possible instability problem. Also the position tracking in free space at the system under impedance control is good, while the contact force is less compare with the position control case. Then taking into consideration the new mathematical model presented in this paper, we discussed on the factors that affect the quality and achievable mechanical impedance range of pneumatic actuator.

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APC gene in ctDNA has been proposed as a potential biomarker for cancer diagnosis. A biosensor based on a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and DNA probe with fluorophore FAM (6-carboxyfluorescein) for detection of APC gene in ctDNA was developed to identify patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).
This method was designed based on the adsorption and immobilization of FAM-labeled single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) on MWCNT, which leads to the quenching of FAM fluorescence emission. By adding its cDNA could release single-stranded DNA probe (ssDNA) from the MWCNT surface and a double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) was formed. It led to the return of FAM fluorescence emission. While in the case of non-complementary DNA the corresponding dsDNA was not formed and therefore we did not have the return of FAM fluorescence emission. The results of this study showed that the biosensor based on carbon nanotubes can be used as a high-sensitivity method for the early detection of CRC.

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Objective: Due to recent advances in nanotechnology it is now possible to accumulate high atomic-number nanomaterial such as gold nanoparticles (GNPs) in cancerous cells and take advantage of their absorbed dose enhancement property as radiosensitizing agents. This study aimed to investigate the absorbed dose enhancement factor due to the presence of PEGylated GNPs under the irradiation of an MCF-7 cancerous cell line using orthovoltage X-ray beams. Methods: We synthesized GNPs with an average diameter of 47 nm and joined them to polyethylene glycol. A total of 50 μg/mL of the pegylated GNPs were incubated with MCF-7 cells for 1, 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours, after which we compared their cytotoxicities. Then, PEGylated GNPs (50μg/mL) were incubated with MCF-7 cells for 12 and 24 hours and their radiosensitizing effect during 2Gy delivery of 120, 180 and 200 kVp X-ray beams were compared by the MTT assay. Results: Cytotoxicity studies showed no significant effect of GNPs on cell viability. Significant differences in cell survival were observed between the groups irradiated with and without GNPs, which lead to an average absorbed dose enhancement factor of 1.22±0.06. According to the results, there was no radiosensitization difference due to the usage of 120, 180 and 200 kVp X-ray beams. However increased incubation time increased the dose enhancement factor. Conclusion: By using PEGylated GNPs we can decrease the prescribed X-ray dose, yet maintain the same level of cancerous cell killing.

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In this paper stability analysis of a nonlinear micro rotating shaft near the primary resonances by considering the modified couple stress theory and micro inertia effect is investigated. The geometric nonlinearities due to classical and non-classical theory (the modified couple stress theory) are considered. Using Hamilton principle, the nonlinear equations of motion are obtained. In order to solve the equations of motion the multiple scales method are used and an analytical expression is presented for forward and backward frequencies which can be seen the effects of modified couple stress theory and micro inertia effect. The frequency response curves, amplitude versus damping coefficient, amplitude versus total eccentricities, etc. are reported. It is seen that due to the modified couple stress theory and micro inertia effect the amplitude of the system is decreased and the loci of bifurcation points is changed. Symmetrical micro-shaft in the presence of classical theory and without micro inertia effects becomes completely stable in the least damping coefficient and asymmetrical micro-shaft in the presence of classical theory and without micro inertia effects becomes completely stable in the most damping coefficient. Symmetrical micro-shaft in the presence of modified couple stress theory and with micro inertia effects becomes completely stable in the least total eccentricity and asymmetrical micro-shaft in the presence of classical theory and without micro inertia effects becomes completely stable in the most total eccentricity. So, considering the small-scale effects due to strain and velocity gradients for analysis of the system is mandatory.

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 Jujube is a functional fruit with a great source of fibers, vitamins and nutritional elements and has a sweet, delicious flavor. Replacement effects of wheat flour with varying levels of jujube powder (0, 5, 15 and 25 % w/w) on the physicochemical, texture and sensory properties of the cakes based on completely randomized design, was investigated. The viscosity of cake batter increased from 744.5 cp (% 0 jujube powder) to 9872.5 cp (% 25 jujube powder) as the replacement level of wheat flour with jujube powder increased (p <0.05). The physicochemical (moisture content, volume, porosity, firmness, fiber and ash) and sensory properties of the cake prepared by replacing wheat flour with jujube powder were changed significantly (p <0.05). As the replacement level of wheat flour with jujube powder increased, the volume and porosity of the cake were decreased and the hardness, fiber, ash, browning index and the lightness of them were increased (p <0.05). Cakes made with the % 5 and then the higher level (up to % 15) as compared to control, received the highest sensory overall scores (p <0.05).  The cakes containing % 5 jujube powder, showed the least physicochemical changes similar to control samples and found to be more acceptable from sensory points as compared to other treatments (p <0.05).   

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Early diagnosis of hypertensive diseases such as cancer plays an essential role in preventing disease progression. The main cause of death from cancer is the reappearance of the disease due to the release of tumor cells in the blood of the patient. Among the various methods that have been devised for monitoring blood in recent years, the techniques based on micro-scale flow have specially been considered. The development of these methods has led to the emergence of microfluidics laboratories on the chips, which their main advantages are low prices and simplicity. Since the particles’ sizes are different in the flow of blood, the direction of these particles in the micro-channels will vary due to the different forces, and therefore they can be analyzed to the design of bio-microchips. In the present study, a two-phase flow containing spherical particles with the dimensions of blood cells was considered, and the forces affecting the particles of this current, including the lift forces and drag forces, were studied using COMSOL software. For this purpose, a micro divergent channel was designed and the effect of ratio of the outlet width to the inlet width (Aspect Ratio) as an effective geometric parameter in the biological particle separation was analyzed. The study of the effect of particle dimensions and various geometric parameters of the channel on bio-particles separation are the main goals of this research. The results show that by increasing the Aspect ratio, focusing of the larger particles would increase at the outlet of micro-channel.

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With the advent of shape memory alloys (SMAs), several commercial and industrial applications were proposed due to their superior mechanical and biological properties. Among these materials, Nickel-Titanium (NiTi) alloys are widely applied and well-researched since they are characterized not only by good thermal and mechanical properties but also by excellent biocompatibility compared to other SMAs. In most of the applications, the structural components and devices made of NiTi SMAs work under cyclic thermomechanical loading and one of the major limitations facing the industrial use of this alloy is the degradation of the material when subjected to cyclic loadings (i.e., training). In this study, pseudoelastic training procedure in NiTi shape memory alloy and the resultant two-way shape memory effect are studied using in-situ electric resistivity measurement. At first, variations in the residual strain and in the electric resistivity during pseudoelastic training method are revealed. Then, by measuring the electric resistivity after training procedure (upon specified thermal cycling at stress-free condition) as well as the induced two-way shape memory strain, the effects of residual martensite and dislocation (plastic deformation) on the residual strain are investigated. The obtained results show that about 33% of the residual strain accumulated in 100 pseudoelastic cycles can be ascribed to the residual martensite and about 67% of the residual stain is attributed to the dislocations (plasticity).

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Seismic retrofit of concrete columns with FRP composites is a well-known method for enhancing their strength and ductility. Behavior of rectangular concrete columns confined with FRP composites depends on several parameters, including unconfined concrete strength, confinement level, aspect ratio of cross-section (defined as the depth /width of the cross-section), and the sharpness of the section corners. For proper design of rectangular concrete columns confined with FRP composites, a good understanding of the stress–strain behavior of FRP-confined concrete prism under axial monotonic compression is necessary. In recent years many design oriented stress-strain models with simple closed-form expressions have been developed for FRP-confined concrete columns. Also some analysis oriented models are proposed in which the stress-strain behavior of circular columns is generated with an incremental process. But to the best knowledge of authors, there is not an analysis oriented stress-strain model for FRP-confined rectangular columns in the literature. Thus in this paper a base model for actively confined concrete is used to develop a new analysis stress-strain model for rectangular concrete columns confined with FRP. This model considers all parameters that affect behavior of rectangular columns. The procedure for generation of analysis oriented stress–strain curves for FRP–confined concrete based on active confinement model is as follows:
1) For a given axial strain, find the corresponding lateral strain according to the lateral-to-axial strain relationship;
(2) based on force equilibrium and radial displacement compatibility between the concrete core and the FRP jacket, calculate the corresponding lateral confining pressure provided by the FRP jacket;
(3) use the axial strain and the confining pressure obtained from steps (1) and (2) in conjunction with an active-confinement base model to evaluate the corresponding axial stress, leading to the identification of one point on the stress–strain curve of FRP–confined concrete;
(4) Repeat the above steps to generate the entire stress–strain curve.
     It is obvious from above procedure that the main relations in analytical modeling are the lateral-to-axial strain relationship, lateral confining pressure provided by the FRP jacket, peak axial stress on the stress–strain curve of actively confined concrete, axial strain at peak axial stress, and stress–strain equation. Thus in this paper these relations for rectangular sections are presented and when these relations be defined, the stress-strain curve can be generated using above mentioned procedure. In this paper an experimental database containing 167 axial compression test results of externally confined rectangular columns is assembled and used for stress-strain modeling. The proposed model considers different parameters that can affect the behavior of rectangular columns, including aspect ratio, corner radius, confinement ratio, and unconfined concrete strength. Also both the strain hardening and strain softening behavior of rectangular columns can be modelled by the proposed formulation. Comparison between experimental results and those of model predictions indicates that the proposed model provides good predictions for different parts of stress-strain curve such as compressive stress and strain also ultimate stress and strain. Also the shape of predicted stress-strain curve is in a good agreement with the test results.

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Population density and dispersion pattern of Sesamia cretica Led. was determined in maize fields in Varamin (Ahmadabad and Khaveh) and Rey (Aminabad and Talebabad) areas (Tehran, Iran) during two agricultural seasons, 2017 and 2018. A whole plant of maize was selected as a sampling unit to estimate the number of S. cretica larvae. The highest population density of S. cretica larvae per plant was recorded on the 4^th and 8^th October in Aminabad, 17^th and 20^th September in Talebabad, 6^th and 17^th September in Ahmadabad and Khaveh, in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Mean densities of the larvae per plant were 52.62±12.53, 10.50±2.85, 17.45±3.48, 7.57±1.55 in 2017 and 12.00±5.29, 1.00±0.30, 11.05±2.36, 12.00±3.41 in 2018 in Aminabad, Talebabad, Ahmadabad, and Khaveh, respectively. The population of captured male adults in all fields in the second year was less than the first one. Peak numbers of male moths had a difference of 10-22 days between the two studied years. Based on the index of dispersion, the spatial distribution of S. cretica larvae in all fields in both areas was aggregated during the two years of study, except for Aminabad in 2018. According to Taylor’s power law, S. cretica in Ahmadabad and Aminabad in 2017 had a random pattern, while in all fields of the other regions it had an aggregated spatial distribution during 2017 and 2018. In Iwao's model, the regression between the mean crowding and the density was not significant in Aminabad and Khaveh in 2017 and Talebabad in 2018, while in the other fields indicated the aggregated spatial distribution. The lowest estimate of the sample size was computed by using Taylor’s power law. The results revealed that population fluctuation of S. cretica was affected by the region, but in spatial distribution pattern, the oviposition behavior of the pest was a much more determining factor than the region. The coefficients of the spatial pattern can be used for improving the sampling program to calculate the population density of S. cretica precisely.

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Potassium (K) mitigates the effect of high temperature on canola, especially during its later growth stages when sowing of canola is delayed. To explore the effect of K on high temperature tolerance and canola production, a field experiment (2019–2021) was conducted. The experiment had two sowing dates (October 15 and November 1) and four K treatments, i.e. control, soil application (50 kg K ha^-1), soil application+0.25% K foliar spray at pre- and post-flowering stages, and soil application+0.50% K foliar spray at pre and post-flowering stages. Application of 50 kg K ha^-1 as soil application along with 0.50% K-foliar sprays resulted in higher production of biochemicals (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, and total soluble sugars) besides net photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance along with less malondialdehyde production and relative cell injury in crops sown on November 1^st than untreated plants. Moreover, it also enhanced chlorophyll florescence and chlorophyll (a and b) contents of late-sown crop. Plants sown on November 1^st and received 50 kg K ha^-1 as soil application along with 0.50% K foliar spray also gave a higher yield and economic returns than the control. Therefore, it is suggested to supply 50 kg K ha^-1 at sowing and a foliar spray of 0.50% K at the pre- and post-flowering stages to canola sown late in the season to achieve optimal and economical yield levels.