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Lentiviruses are considered one of the most effective recombinant viruses for gene transfer to mammalian cells and tissues. This study comprises of two essential parts: (1) evaluation of efficiency of protein purification columns in concentration of recombinant lentiviruses, and (2) production of recombinant lentiviruses carrying GDNF coding sequences. In part (1) we co-transfected human embryonic kidney cell line HEK-293T with three lentivirus vectors called transfer (carrying either GFP or Jred), packaging and envelope vectors. After a filtration step, we applied the supernatant from transfected cells to Amicon protein columns for concentration purposes. Centrifugation removed 99% of the supernatant and left behind 500-µl-volume of solution full of virions. We thereby produced a of virus stock. Various dilutions of this stock were added to HEK-293T cells that produced up to 100% infected cells positively expressing transgenes. To examine whether the removed supernatant (overflow) has any trace of infective virus by chance, we also used dilutions of the overflow for infection and observed no sign of eGFP or Jred expression. Given the need for a high-titer virus stock for successful target cell transduction, our results indicate that our filtration method of virus concentration is able to produce high virus titer and is cost-effective and less time consuming than previous methods. In part (2), due to the importance of neurotrophic factor GDNF in differentiation and neuroprotection as well as in therapy of neurodegenerative disorders, we ligated GDNF coding sequence into the lentivirus backbone in the second phase of our study. We applied the same method outlined above to produce high-titer recombinant viruses. Following infection of human astrocytoma cells with this virus stock, we detected 3-fold increase in GDNF mRNA expression using RT-PCR. Lentiviruses carrying GDNF can therefore be generated at high titer using the column method and applied for differentiation and neuroprotection studies.

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In recent years, with the advancement of nanoscience, many scientists have used nano materials to solve existing problems in various sectors of oil industry. Nanofluids made with these materials can facilitate the separation of oil and gas in a reservoir and increase oil recovery factor compared to current methods. Therefore, in this work, the effect of clay nanoparticles on oil recovery factor was investigated. For this purpose, two different base fluids, water and ethanol, were used to disperse the nanoparticles. The effect of adding clay nanoparticles on viscosity changes and interfacial surface tension was determined. Also, in order to investigate the effect of nanoparticle concentration in the base fluid on the ultimate oil recovery factor, nanofluids with 3 and 5 wt% were prepared. Results show that oil recovery factor increases significantly in these conditions by adding them into the base fluid, though nanofluids included clay nanoparticles have less stability. Also, the effect of these nanoparticles dispersed in water is greater than in ethanol. For example, at 5 wt%, oil recovery factor for water based nanofluid was 49.7% and for ethanol based nanofluid was 46%.

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Literature of different nations have always influenced each other mutually from the ancient time until now, and fewer people can be found that have remained unaffected of these influences. For example, we can consider two ancient countries, Iran and Greece that their relations and cultural exchanges have reflected at their literature in various forms. Research demonstrating the influence of the poets and their works on each other can be very useful to understanding the ambiguities of their works. In this paper, by analysis of Nezami's works,  it was made clear that Nezami, through the translation of Greek works into Arabic or Persian, was familiar with Greek mythology, and directly or indirectly has inspired many of his stories from Greek mythology, as some stories such as "Alexander and the Barber", "Jamshid and His Confidant Friend", "Alexander and  Noushabeh", "Senseless City", "Pastor and the Ring" and "Fetneh" have been adapted from  the Greek mythologies such as "Mydas King" "Amazons" "Maylo", and "Gyges or Zhyres".        

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Abstract Various researches indicates that family businesses are short-timed and faced with challenges to their survival. Succession planning is one of the main challenges have posed by these companies. This paper reviews the process of succession planning and main factors affecting it. Therefore two independent variables (leadership style and employee maturity) are considered and hypothesized that they have direct relationship with the succession process in the family businesses. The statistical sample was included 45 family businesses working in Khorasan-e-Razavi and hypothesis have been tested using structural equation modeling and all of them were confirmed. Responders to the questionnaire were selected among senior managers and high talented employees who has the chance of being senior managers.  It has been suggested that senior executives in family businesses, firstly choose their leadership style in accordance with the maturity level of their employees and more importantly do the succession planning process.          

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Aim: Certain Mycoplasma species, the smallest and simplest free-living bacteria which lack a rigid cell wall, are considered as important pathogenic organisms in human and recognized to have a role in rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of this study was to use molecular methods to detect Mycoplasma spp. in synovial fluid of patients with reactive arthritis in comparison with patients suffering from non-inflammatory arthritis as a control group.
Materials & Methods: Synovial fluid samples were collected from 99 patients with arthritis, all of which fulfilled the standard criteria of American College of Rheumatology for the diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis (59 patients) or non-inflammatory arthritis (40 patients). The DNA of all synovial fluid samples was extracted, and PCR was performed with a specific set of general primers for 16S rRNA of Mycoplasma genus. The PCR products were confirmed via restriction enzyme digestion using BamH1 and sequencing.
Finding: A total of 11 out of 99 (11.1%) samples of patients with reactive arthritis revealed a 270bp amplification band. Digesting the PCR product of 16S rRNA by BamH1 confirmed the PCR assay. The sequencing also confirmed the amplified products.
Conclusion: The pathophysiology of inflammatory arthritis could be attributed, at least in part, to the persistence of bacterial DNA in the joint of patients with reactive arthritis.

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Home Uterine Activity Monitoring (HUAM) has demonstrated to be of great value for preventing preterm labor in recent years. In this research, a low cost monitoring device for non-invasive monitoring of the uterine activity in pregnant women is presented. The new device has been designed based on an inductive Colpitz oscillator and vertical displacement of a ferrite core in a coil. The resulting frequency of the oscillator is proportional to the pressure in the external surface of the abdomen. This frequency is measured by the portable monitor. A low-power static random access memory (SRAM) provides long-term data storage. The proposed sensor for detecting uterine contractions has light weight, high stability and low cost. This sensor is very simple to manufacture and use for long-term ambulatory monitoring of the uterine activity. Furthermore, this sensor can be calibrated using software. Other features of the sensor are, resolution of 0.13 mmHg, repeatability close to 96% and input range from 0 to 95.32 mmHg.

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Research subject: In situ synthesis of nanoparticles due to greater impact on production mechanisms (such as reducing oil viscosity), uniform distribution of nanoparticles in reservoir fluids, no reduction in formation permeability due to no injection of nanofluids into the reservoir and also economic efficiency is more importance than other nanoparticle synthesis methods which are used in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes.
Research approach: In this study, the effect of in-situ synthesized of cerium oxide (CeO₂) nanoparticles at low temperature on the oil recovery factor was investigated. For this purpose, water was considered as the based fluid for dispersion of synthesized nanoparticles. Also, in order to study the effect of nanoparticles concentration in the base fluid on the final oil recovery factor, several nanofluids were prepared at different concentrations of 0.01, 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 wt.%. Finally, the prepared nanofluids were injected at the injection rate of 0.07 ml/h up to 1 PV into the micromodel and the amount of produced oil and the movement of the injected fluid in the porous medium were analyzed.
Main results: The results showed that the synthesized CeO₂ nanoparticles in this study have appropriate performance to improve the oil recovery factor. The presence of small amounts of these nanoparticles (concentration of 0.01 wt. %), causes a significant increment in oil recovery factor (about 7%) compared to water injection alone. Also, the oil extraction coefficient increased by increasing the concentration of nanoparticles in the base fluid. So that for nanofluids with concentrations of 0.01, 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 wt.%, the oil recovery factor were 25%, 38%, 43% and 45%, respectively. However, by increasing the concentration of nanoparticles in the base fluid, from an optimal amount onwards, the probability of particle deposition in the micromodel increased, the effect of nanoparticles on changing the hydrodynamic properties of the injected fluid and oil production mechanisms decreased.
 

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Research subject: Using microwave and ultrasonic waves is a novel method in the petroleum industry that has been investigated for various purposes. Due to polar elements such as oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur, oil molecules are affected by the electric field of microwave waves and create dipole moments that generate hotspots, increasing the temperature of the oil and breaking down heavy compounds such as asphaltene. Ultrasonic waves eliminate intermolecular forces by creating tiny bubbles and bursting them. It also leads to the breakdown of heavy molecules such as asphaltene.
Research approach: In this study, crude oil was exposed to microwave and ultrasonic radiation, and changes in its properties were investigated. The effects of changing parameters such as power and time on crude oil properties were also examined. Changes in the specific gravity and API can indicate the extent of the breakdown of heavy molecules such as asphaltene and improvement in crude oil quality.
Main results: Using microwave and ultrasonic waves can reduce the viscosity of crude oil by 12.4% and 6% and increase the API by 2.8 and 1.2 degrees, respectively. Asphaltene reduction due to microwave and ultrasonic waves is 9.3% and 4.3%, respectively, indicating the breakdown of these compounds and the conversion to smaller compounds soluble in oil, resulting in improved crude oil quality. The EDS results show an increase in the weight percentage of carbon and the reduction of elements such as oxygen and sulfur, which confirms this issue. Examining crude oil structure under microwave and ultrasonic radiation showed that microwave waves, in addition to affecting straight-chain hydrocarbons, also reduced aromatic compounds. However, ultrasonic waves had a more significant effect on straight-chain hydrocarbon structure.

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Studies show that in last decades, some of the efforts on and approaches to rural development were concentrated on rural extensional informational activities. Over time and through surveys and studies, some of the deficiencies of the classic approaches were identified. In an attempt for reconstructing and also providing the optimal pattern of planning in rural extensional informational activities, an important question is: In explanation of factors, elements and also the conditions affecting the rural people’s knowledge and awareness, what indices allied theoretical bases and approaches introduce and present to be noticed when optimal planning is provided and rural extensional and informational strategies are developed? This article with an explanatory approach and through inspection on scientific sources, studies some of the effective factors, elements and conditions on rural people’s knowledge and awareness of their potentials and environment capacities. Our studies show that in providing the optimal rural extensional - informational planning patterns, notice to the following principles is necessary: The principles of bilatral flow of information, Adaptation with the geographical and evironmental conditions, Compatibility with cultural characteristics of rural communities, Using the potential of the local institutes in rural extensional - informational plans, Public coverage (To know is everyone’s right), and Environmental sustainability.

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Ditylenchus azarbaijanensis n. sp. is described and illustrated based upon morphological and morphometric characters. The new species is mainly characterized by having six lines in the lateral field, rudimentary postuterine sac (PUS) ca. 0.2 vulval body width long, anteriorly inclined vagina and conical female tail with a pointed terminus, 48-70 µm long (c = 15-21, cʹ = 2.4-3.7). It is further characterized by having fine stylet 7.5-10.0 µm long with small knobs, small pyriform pharyngeal bulb offset from the intestine, and males with 26.5-31.0 µm long spicules. By having a rudimentary PUS, the new species is morphologically compared with three closely related species, namely Ditylenchus apus, D. deiridus and D. khani. Moreover, morphological differences of the new species with eight similar species of the genus, namely D. arachis, D. convallarie, D. dauniae, D. medicaginis, D. silvaticus, D. tenuidens, D. valveus, and D. virtudesae are presented. The status of the rudimentary or absent PUS of D. deiridus and the new species is also discussed.

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While the study of the concept of transcendental signified is at the core of philosophical studies; its strengths are often applied in linguistics and literature. The present paper examines Walter Benjamin's linguistic approach to the subject of transcendental signified in Kafka's The Castle. Because of its high capacity for learning and discovering a sequence of transcendental signified in its key elements, this novel was selected. Martin Heidegger, and especially his successor Jacques Derrida, tried to use the concept of transcendental signified to criticize the tradition of metaphysical thinking. However, the aim of this research is to use content analysis to explore how such a method is present in Walter Benjamin's thoughts and his popular principle of three layers of language, without specifically using the word transcendental signified. The same level of meaning development that is both feasible and unlikely is found at the third level of language, which Benjamin refers to as the "arena of nonsense." In Kafka's The Castle, Benjamin's argument, which is associated with Derrida's rejection of the existence of transcendental signified, has been put to practical use. Finally, the paper concludes that the relationship between explicitness and ambiguity in the three key elements of a story, namely the character "K," " Castle," and also the job of “Surveyor," reveal the impossibility of transcendental signified, and represent the third level of Benjamin’s language.

 

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Aims: Inappropriate dietary habits, particularly the growing tendency to consume fast food, pose significant health challenges in modern society, especially among adolescents. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a health education program based on the theory of planned behavior in reducing fast food consumption among female high school students.
Materials & Methods: In this study, the sample size was determined to be 38 individuals per group (95% CI and 90% power), but 50 individuals were included to increase accuracy. Thus, cluster random sampling divided 100 students from District 4 of Tehran into control and intervention groups. Data were collected via a valid questionnaire assessed by five health education professors, covering demographic information, knowledge, and theory of planned behavior constructs. The intervention group participated in three 50-minute educational sessions, which included lectures, Q&A discussions, and the distribution of brochures and books. The data were analyzed using SPSS-22, employing statistical tests, such as Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Mann-Whitney U, Chi-square, and independent t-tests.
Findings: Following the educational intervention, the mean scores for attitude (p=0.002), subjective norms (p=0.005), and perceived behavioral control (p=0.005) were significantly higher in the intervention group compared to the control group. However, no significant changes were observed in knowledge (p=0.936), behavioral intention (p=0.393), and behavior (p=0.721) related to reducing fast food consumption.
Conclusion: The educational program based on the theory of planned behavior is effective in improving attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control.
 

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Objective: Amphotericin B (AmB) is an ancient antifungal drug and proper for treatment of systemic fungal infection. Unfortunately, this antibiotic has shown some side effects such as nephrotoxicity. Therefore, recently new AmB formulated has been prepared for reduced toxicity and increased effectiveness. Materials and Methods: AmB nanocapsules prepared from polymers such as poly D, L-lactide-co-glycolide by means of a solvent displacement technique. Then, the dried nanocapsules prepared by using SiO2 and entrapment efficacy of AmB was measured by spectrophotometry technique. The MICs of these nanocapsules to Candida albicans (ATCC 90028) was also determined by using microdilution method. Then, in vitro toxicity (haemolysis) of the AmB- loaded nanocapsules determined on human red blood cells. Results: The data shows AmB entrapment efficacy for nanocapsules were 75% ± 0.13. The MICs of AmB-loaded nanocapsules against C. albicans tested were significantly reduced compared to that of free antibiotic. Also, the AmB-loaded nanocapsules found to be 5.89 times less toxic than free AmB on human red blood cells. Conclusion: The results suggest that prepared AmB-loaded nanocapsules in this research may be an appropriate delivery system for AmB to be used in the treatment of fungal infections.

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Campylobacter is known to be one of the most common causes of human intestinal disorders. Since poultry are known to be the main reservoirs for this pathogen, decreasing this bacterium in intestinal tract could be beneficial in reducing contamination of poultry products. The effects of probiotic (PrimaLac^®), medicinal plant (Sangrovit^®) and organic acid (Selko-pH^®) as broiler feed additives on cecal colonization, and fecal excretion of broilers were studied. Other parameters such as performance, immune response and intestinal morphology were also determined. A total of 300 broiler chicks (Cobb 500) were divided into 5 groups. Groups consisted of unsupplemented feed (negative and positive controls), probiotic, medicinal plant and drinking water containing organic acid mixture. Except for the negative control group, all chickens were orally challenged with (10⁹ cfu mL^-1) Campylobacter jejuni at day 21. Cecal and fecal samples were collected for Campylobacter count. Body weight (BW), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were determined weekly and cumulatively. BW and FI in the probiotic treated group were higher (P< 0.05) than the positive control group. On day 49 all supplemented treatments showed a reduction of Campylobacter colonization in cecal contents (P< 0.05). Fecal samples showed reductions (P< 0.05) on day 35 and 42. Villi height of duodenum and jejunum in the probiotic and medicinal plant treated groups were improved (P< 0.05). Immune response was significantly higher in these two groups (P< 0.05). These effects could be due to the antibacterial effects of the used feed supplements. Our results indicate that these feed additives could be potential treatments for reducing Campylobacter in the intestine of broilers. Probiotic and medicinal plant improve growth performance of these birds.

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Multilingualism and its tangled relationship with culture have been the center of debate for many years. It still sparkles various conceptual arguments and day by day, more academic research is circulating on this subject. The concept of multilingualism and the arguments around this discourse roots in the language itself. To fully grasp the notion of cultural multilingualism, first, we need to perceive how and where language and culture are interlinked. The study of culture has the originality of studying history itself. The first studies on both language and culture date back to the earliest time human attempted to analyze and perceive history. The globalization of multilingualism has led scientists and experts to analyze multilingualism through a cultural lens. It's only in a few decades that perceiving and understanding multilingualism through cultural perspectives has opened the eyes of experts to new horizons. Concerning this fact, this study has evaluated Never Let Me Go, a 2005 Nobel-winning novel by the Japanese-British novelist and screenwriter, Kazuo Ishiguro according to cultural multilingual values. Additionally, this study questions the concept of cultural multilingualism, together with its significance in shaping one's identity and self as the main key in Ishiguro's novel. Proven by the given facts, the current study illustrates how cultural multilingualism forms the author's writing style and mindset as a multilingual individual. 

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Toluene is a dangerous pollutant in aqueous solutions that should be removed completely. In this paper iron oxide nanoparticles were employed for removing of toluene from aqueous solutions with initial concentration of 100 ppm by Fenton-Like process. Iron oxide nanoparticles synthesised from spent catalysts of Tabriz Petrochemical Styrene Unit using a ball mill. these nanoparticles were characterized by BET, XRD, XRF and FE-SEM analysis. The milling of spent catalysts was performed in dry ball mill. Dry ball milling of spent catalysts was carried out in presence of argon as an inert gas. Iron oxide nanoparticles with diameter about 18 nm were obtained after 4 hours by dry ball milling of spent catalysts using 15 balls with a diameter of 20 mm. The milling was performed at a rotation speed of 400 rpm.The results of BET analysis showed that specific surface of catalysts has increased more than 9 times with the milling of spent catalysts. XRD patterns showed that during dry milling, some of Fe3O4 has converted to Fe2O3. Due to the higher rate of reaction of Fe2O3 compared to the Fe3O4 in Fenton process, this conversion causes higher rate of toluene elimination from aqueous solutions. The crystal size of spent catalysts and synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles was calculated by Scherrer equation. The crystal size of spent catalysts and synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles were obtained 56.6 nm and 33.9 nm respectively which confirmed the results of BET analysis. The concentration of toluene in aqueous solutions was measured by Gas Chromatography (GC-Agilent 7890A) equipped with FID detector and HP-Plot Q column (30m × 0.530 mm× 40.0 μm) using liquid-liquid extraction by hexane. Hexane and samples were mixed with volume ratio of 1/10. Samples were injected to GC in volume of 1 micro liter by a syringe (Agilent). Experiments were performed at pH=3 and room temperature (25◦C) in a batch reactor in volume of 500 ml with a mechanical stirrer. Due to study of interaction between the parameters and determining the optimal conditions, experimental design was performed by RSM method. [H2O2]/[Catalyst], [H2O2]/[concentration of pollution] and time (min) were considered as efficient parameters on removing of toluene. Quadratic equation with high correlation coefficient fitted using RSM method. R2 and R2(adj) values of predicted model for removing of toluene in Fenton-Like process were obtained 99.14% and 98.37% respectively. The results showed that [H2O2]/[Catalyst] and [H2O2]/[concentration of pollution] have optimum ranges. The optimum ranges for [H2O2]/[Catalyst] and [H2O2]/[concentration of pollution] were obtained 0.36-0.5 and 4-5.5 respectively . Optimal values for [H2O2]/[Catalyst], [H2O2]/[concentration of pollution] and time (min) for removing of toluene in Fenton-Like process were obtained 0.460, 4.928 and 105.7 respectively. In optimum conditions for efficient parameters, complete removal of toluene by Minitab software was predicted. Experiments in the optimum conditions also confirmed the results of Minitab software. The results showed that spent catalysts of Tabriz Petrochemical which are considered as waste, have a good ability for activation of H2O2 and removing of toluene from aqueous solutions. Keywords: Toluene, Aqueous solution, Fenton-Like, Iron oxide nanoparticles, Optimization.

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To get the real answer a PEM fuel cell system to load changing, dynamic modeling is necessary because static modeling independent of time and it shows the system performance in just one or a few points. In this study, the dynamic performance of a PEM fuel cell stack is modeled in the Matlab Simulink and is validated by the data available in the literature. Modeling is done in two parts; in the first part, the input gases to the fuel cell stack are dray and the second part, the gases entering to the stack are humidification. In order to investigate dynamic response of system to rapid changes in electrical current, the variable electrical current is entered into the system step by step then the effect of this change on output voltage, consumption of reactants, temperature and pressure are obtained. Analyzing results of first part indicates that the time delay of system response to electrical current changes. With increasing the electrical current, the temperature of cell body, consumption of reactants and amount of input gases into the anode and the cathode channels are increased. The temperature of anode and cathode channels and fuel cell body are different and with increasing the stack power are more differences. Analyzing the results of second part indicates that with increasing the relative humidity of input gases the ohmic loss and so on the body temperature of fuel cell is decreased.

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This study was conducted to evaluate a temperature regime ranged from 15 to 30°C on survival, growth, life span and reproductive traits (reproductive period, clutch number, offspring number) of Phallocryptus spinosa from Iran. Newly hatched nauplii (N= 200 and 3 replicates per each treatment) were allocated into containers and maintained at various temperature regimes (at 15, 20, 25 and 30˚C). During trial, the larvae were fed with unicellular algae Dunaliella tertiolecta and Lansy PZ (lipid-enriched yeast). Survival and growth rate of P. spinosa with an interval of 3 days to 18 days were examined. After attaining adulthood, 16 pairs of adult P. spinosa were transferred from all culture vessels into separate containers supplied with 300 ml of brackish water (5 ppt) and similar temperatures to compare their life span and reproductive traits. Based on results obtained, maximum growth at shortest period (13.2±2.0 mm on day 12) was observed at 30°C; whereas, all P. spinosa died before reaching sexual maturity by day 15. Maximum survival (86%) was observed at 15°C; however, minimum growth also was obtained at the same temperature with none of P. spinosa reaching sexual adulthood. On the 18th day, P. spinosa reached sexual adulthood only at 20 and 25°C. Furthermore, a significant difference was observed in most of the reproductive traits especially in total egg production per female at 20°C. Thus, it seems that 20°C is the suitable temperature to rear this fairy shrimp. Future studies should be focused on the feasibility of mass production of this species as a valuable live feed in the aquaculture industry.

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In the present research, the performance of a Tesla microvalve has been studied under the unsteady three dimensional flow. The time averaged of diodicity is the main criteria for the evaluation of the performance of the valve. By simulation and obtaining the velocity and pressure fields within microvalve, changes in operating parameters of valve including total pressure drop and diodicity parameter in the range of various frequencies studied under sinusoidal excitation. The results showed that the amount of diodicity in steady three dimensional with consideration of third dimension is lower with respect to steady two dimensional flow at entire of studied range of Reynolds numbers. Transient effects on microvalve performance in three dimensional is also studied. It is observed that total pressure drop of unsteady case is greater than steady case at both of forward and backward directions. This important result is in a qualitative agreement with simulation results of other researchers which are obtained by two dimensional simulations. Investigation of effect of applied frequency on Tesla microvalve performance at different Reynolds number is another part of this study. The results showed that at the frequencies lower than 100Hz, the performance of the Tesla microvalve is independent of the frequency, however at higher frequencies greater than 100HZ, its performance is improved by increasing the frequency. Microvalve performance is improved and diodicity is increased by increasing of Reynolds number at all frequencies.