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The sign-semantics approach, which brings together structuralist semiotics and narrative discourse analysis, addresses sensory and perceptual factors in the process of meaning production. This  approach has evolved out of a series of developments in semiotics in the twentieth century such as Peirce’s philosophical semiotics, Saussure’s linguistic semiotics, Greimas’ discursive semiotics, and phenomenology. It provides a precise framework from which to analyze the process of meaning production. According, it can be used to analyze scriptures, particularly the holy Quran. In current Quranic studies, unlike the past, a holistic approach which considers this holy book as a coherent and integrated whole wherein there is an organic connection between verses and chapters is utilized by scholars. This study, drawing on pot-Greimasian sign-semantics semiotics (tensive model) as practiced in Iran by Hamidreza Shairi, analyzes the process of meaning production in Shams Surah. The study finds that the process of meaning production                                                                       is based on “intensite” and “extensite” patterns.
 

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Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a class of organic pollutants, have been observed to exert deleterious effects on plant growth and various physiological processes. In this study, the effect of different concentrations of phenanthrene (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 ppm) on growth parameters, photosynthetic pigments, some antioxidant enzymes, and some biochemical compounds of the maize plant were investigated. The experiments were conducted as pot cultures of plants under controlled conditions using a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications for each treatment. Increasing phenanthrene concentration reduced all studied growth parameters and significantly increased photosynthetic pigment contents. Phenanthrene led to the increase in catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activities in the roots but in shoots, only the peroxidase activity was increased. Moreover, higher phenanthrene concentrations were associated with elevated levels of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide, coupled with a marked reduction in soluble sugar content in both shoot and root tissues (p<0.05). Also, increase in phenanthrene concentration in the shoots decreased the total phenol and flavonoid contents compared to anthocyanin. Phenanthrene treatment led to a significant reduction in the concentrations of lauric acid, meric acid, palmitic acid, and oleic acid in maize shoots. In conclusion, it seems that high concentrations of phenanthrene induce oxidative stress in the maize, and plants improve their enzymatic antioxidant system to moderate the stress condition. In addition, damage of cell membranes by phenanthrene leads to weakening of plants root system as well as disordering in water and nutrient uptake and finally reduction in the plant growth.
 

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Reproductive performance and life expectancy of the two-spotted spider mite (TSSM), Tetranychus urticae Koch were determined on seven eggplant cultivars (Isfahan, Dezful, Shend-Abad, Neishabour, Bandar-Abbas, Jahrom and Borazjan) at 25 ± 1°C, 60 ± 5% R.H. and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) hours. The results revealed that the TSSM gross hatch rate varied from 59% on Bandar-Abbas to 83% on Dezful. The gross fecundity rate was 59.726, 31.430, 31.443, 14.461, 19.328, 16.035 and 20.560 eggs/female and the net fecundity rate was 25.804, 17.496, 15.139, 7.620, 5.931, 7.526 and 11.947 eggs/female on the above-mentioned cultivars, respectively. The highest and lowest value of the net fertility rate was 20.735 eggs/female on Isfahan and 3.495 eggs/female on Bandar-Abbas, respectively. Also, the gross fertility rate was the highest on Isfahan (47.994 eggs/female) and the lowest on Bandar-Abbas (11.390 eggs/female). The values of the mean eggs per day varied from 2.040 to 6.560 eggs/female, which was minimum on Neishabour and maximum on Isfahan. The life expectancy of one-day-old adults of the TSSM was estimated to be 7.550, 8.380, 5.820, 4.850, 5.440, 5.330 and 3.950 days on the above-mentioned cultivars, respectively. Comparison of the reproductive parameters of the TSSM on the examined cultivars revealed that Isfahan was the most susceptible cultivar and Neishabour was the most resistant cultivar to this pest. Using resistant host plants is one of the most important components of an integrated pest management program.

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This study was conducted to evaluate the age-specific functional response of Psyllaephagus zdeneki Noyes & Fallahzadeh (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) at different nymph densities of olive psyllid, Euphyllura pakistanica Loginova (Hemiptera: Psyllidae). Due to parasitoid behaviour of feeding and parasitizing the host, both traits were separately explored on a daily functional response. Results of logistic regression revealed a type II functional response of the wasp independent of their ages. The handling time (T_h) and searching efficiency (a) were estimated using the Rogers equation. The highest searching efficiency for both parasitism and feeding was observed in the first five days of the adult age. The handling time for parasitism and host feeding increased with the age of female wasp. The highest searching efficiency and shortest handling time for host attacked (Parasitism and feeding) were gained in day 5 and day 2 and maximum parasitism and host feeding in days 2 and 3 of adult female age, respectively. We conclude that P. zdeneki demonstrated a reasonable performance as a potential biocontrol agent by feeding and parasitism of E. pakistanica which gained its maximum efficiency within 2 to 5 days of its life.

 

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The genus Ametastegia Costa 1882 (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae: Allantinae) was studied in northern Iran. The specimens were collected using sweeping net and Malaise traps during March to November 2010 and 2011. Four species were collected and identified of which Ametastegia persica Khayrandish, Talebi & Blank sp. n. is described as new to science. An illustrated key for identification of Ametastegia species in Iran is provided.

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Recently, flexible and environmental-friendly aerogel blankets have attracted considerable attention. In this work, the novel silica aerogel/basalt blanket was prepared using basalt fibers via a two-step sol-gel process followed by an ambient drying method and immersing the basalt fiber layer into silica sol. The silica aerogel particles were characterized by FTIR, FE-SEM and nitrogen adsorption analysis. The morphology, hydrophobic properties and surface roughness of neat basalt fiber and its aerogel blanket were also investigated. The density if 0.34 g/cm³, the porosity of 85%, mean pore size of 7±1.5 nm and the surface area of 750 m²/g for the nanostructured silica aerogel particles are obtained. The formation of nanostructured silica aerogel particles on the surface of basalt fibers in the sol-gel process were efficiently occurred leading to a strong hydrophobicity the blanket samples (contact angle of 114°) compared to the hydrophilic neat basalt fibers. The surface roughness of basalt fiber in the blanket samples was increased due to the fiber surface coating with silica aerogel particles. Increasing the sol volume in the synthesis process increased the basalt surface roughness from 3.6μ to 11μ. 

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Aims: Urban spatial planning may be defined as the spatial planning in the geographical location of the city, based on the approach of providing the needs of inhabitants within the geographic spaces, following the recreation of the roles and functions of urban elements. By planning identity signs in urban spaces, it is meant to make the safety and security of the city sustainable. By identifying the emotional, psychological, and educational needs of citizens, visual discipline is created; by planning the identity signs of city’s index and planning the signs, vitality is created for citizens; and in completion, with city architecture, facade and urban landscape will be managed in such a way that the citizens' mental and objective needs are met. Given the role of signs in the city, the question of this study is in what situations, will signs meet the need for security and self-awareness of the inhabitants? In what situations, are vitality and beauty transmitted to the citizens and affect the city's atmosphere? Applying a descriptive-analytical method and using library studies as well as available documents, this study examined the planning of urban signs to achieve the main function of the sign.
Conclusion: Signs in urban spaces with appropriate planning can have positive effects and meet citizens' needs for self-awareness, security, education, etc. In this regard, convergence should be created among decision makers, urban managers, and culture, community, economics, politics, and geography of the urban space of citizens.

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Fish larvae have a high requirement of amino acid (AA) for energy production and growth. This study was aimed to increase knowledge of AA profile during feral carp larval ontogeny and estimate larval AA requirements. Larvae were collected randomly at 1, 3, 7, 11, 15, 19, 26 and 33 days post hatch for growth and AA analysis. The composition of total AA changed significantly during ontogeny. The essential AA profile of marine carp showed low correlation with rotifers (R²₌0.22). High correlation was found between dry food and early larval ages (R²≥0.7) but was lower in late stage (R²≥0.37). At day 7, when larvae were fed on rotifers, methionine seemed to be the limiting AA and when larvae were fed dry food at day 11, 15, 19, 26 and 33, arginine seemed to be the limiting AA. Larval indispensible AA profile can be used as index of the IAA requirements of carp larvae. Supplementation of larval diet used with limiting AA is one way for compensating the deficient amino acid.

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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.

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Nowadays the urban growth pattern of cities is growing dramatically; and current suburbs of cities will form the inseparable components of the main city in the near future. In all cities of world vertical and horizontal urban growth have been one of the most important factors noticed by urban managers and planners. Urban growth is a spatial - structural process that refers to the increased importance of towns and cities as a concentration of population within a particular economy and society. Increase in urban points as quantitative issue shows itself in the forms of increase in population of cities and development in built up area scale. The unorganized physical growth of cities is due to their physical discrete and separate development which is mostly in form of forming individual and separate parts. Hence, analysis of the current physical status, and prediction of the future development of cities due to its influence on the politics and management of city and human resources, is of great importance. Regarding the numerous factors affecting the inharmonic physical urban growth, the present article has investigated the rate of urban horizontal growth from two aspects of area and direction.The research method in this article is analytical- comparative and with respect to the evolution of the physical- spatial pattern of Tabriz metropolitan in the 1956-2006 period. Shannon’s Entropy model is utilized for evaluation of the rate of the urban horizontal growth diversity. In order to use this model first we draw the complete and detailed plan of Tabriz city in concentric buffers with width of one kilometer between years 1956-2006 using Auto Cad software and the physical gravity center of Tabriz city which is the same center of cultural- historical part has been considered as basis for buffering modulation, and Sectoral- Geographical model is used for specification of urban growth directions. . In the next phase center of city gravity has drawn in the form of circle with determined diameter and the center of this circle was considered as basis for modulation of geographical sectors and sectoral buffering in 12 geographic directions. The attained results of analyzing the research findings has shown that the sprawl growth and diversity of inharmonic development has occurred in Tabriz metropolitan. The maximum of this rate has happened on the year 1996 and directions of horizontal urban growth are completely coincided on the margins of main connection corridors of city.

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This study aimed to investigate the impact transformational leadership on knowledge workers' organizational behavior citizenship in Iran’s National Oil Company. The research method was descriptive-correlative. 97 experts working at staff Units of Iran’s oil Company were selected, using census method. In order to collect data, two questionnaires were used.1- Bass and Avalio’s transformational leadership questionnaire (a=. /78), 2- Podsakoff’s OCB questionnaire (a=. /89). To analyze data, Pearson’s correlation and structural equation model were used. The finding showed that there was a positive relationship between organizational behavior citizenship with transformational leadership and its components: Idealized Influence, Inspirational Motivation, Intellectual Stimulation, and Individualized Consideration. The findings also showed that there was a positive relationship between all components of transformational leadership (i.e., Inspirational Motivation, Intellectual Stimulation, and Individualized Consideration) and components of organizational citizenship behavior (i.e., conscientiousness, courtesy, sportsmanship and altruism). The finding structural equation model showed that transformational leadership impact on organizational behavior citizenship in Iran’s National Oil Company. key word: transformational leadership , organizational behavior citizenship, Idealized Influence, Inspirational Motivation, Intellectual Stimulation, Individualized Consideration, Iran’s National Oil Company key word: transformational leadership , organizational behavior citizenship, Idealized Influence, Inspirational Motivation, Intellectual Stimulation, Individualized Consideration, Iran’s National Oil Company key word: transformational leadership , organizational behavior citizenship, Idealized Influence, Inspirational Motivation, Intellectual Stimulation, Individualized Consideration, Iran’s National Oil Company

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A survey was conducted to identify the fungus gnats (Diptera: Mycetophilidae) in Kermanshah province (west of Iran) during 2010-2011. The specimens were collected from nine different localities. Adults were reared from the fruiting bodies of Agaric fungi. Five species are recorded for the first time from Iran: Mycetophila strigatoides (Lundrock), Allodia ornaticollis (Meigen), Rymosia pseudocretensis Burghele-Balacesco, Synplasta gracilis (Winnertz) and Sciophila eryngii Chandler. Eight host associations (gnats-fungi) are also reported for the first time. The diagnostic characters, host range and geographical distribution of each species are given.  

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An important subject in the field of linguistics is the impact of one thought system on the community of lingual symbols. The relationship between mind and language conventions has long been of interest to linguists. The importance of this relationship becomes more prominent in comparative approaches where, through comparative study and analysis of the main schemas of the ideas of several thinkers or artists, the researcher traces the consistent and common use of linguistic symbols. In the hermeneutic analysis of the works of Mowlana Jalal ad-Din Mohammad Rumi, the interpretation of symbols, analogy and codes governing his mind and language is a major research interest. One of the most important branches among these researches concerns the kinship of Mowlana’s language codes with other thinkers and artists. On the other hand, Nietzsche, as a transcendental thinker, tries to use a symbolic language in explaining his thinking system. Due to his familiarity with the culture and literature of the East and the essential sameness of some of his principles with Mowlana’s transcendental approaches about the existence, morality, art , etc., Nietzsche achieves a set of symbols common with Rumi, which forms a shared language between the two thinkers.  

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Aim: Substance abuse is a substantial threat and problem to public health. The goal of drug abuse treatment is to return people to a productive normal situation in the family, workplace, and community. Treatment dropout is one of the major problems, encountered by the treatment programs. The maintenance of treatment is associated with retention in treatment, and many factors are associated with retention. The main purpose of this study is to examine the factors that play important role in retention of addiction treatment. Methods: This is a qualitative research with conventional content analysis method. Purposive sampling was applied and continued until data saturation was achieved. The participants were 22 volunteers, including outpatients, physicians and psychotherapists. The method of data collection was semi-structured face to face interview (30- 40 minutes). All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Findings: By content analysis, two categories were obtained, including emotional and informational support. The main common theme of categories was social support, which was the major requirement to retain the treatment among drug abuse outpatients. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that social support is one of the essential services to stop or reduce substance abuse. Recognizing this factor could improve interaction between the family, clinical staff and patients in addiction treatment retention.

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Background: Helicobacter pylori is the most common cause of chronic infection in the human stomach. The infection has universe prevalence in all age groups. Probably, this bacterium is the cause of most common chronic bacterial infection in human beings and infects approximately half of the world population. H. pylori produces urease, an enzyme that degrades the urea in the stomach’s mucous to ammonia resulting in biochemical reaction that leads to increase in pH of the stomach lumen. This allows pathogenic intestinal protozoa to take the opportunity to cross through stomach’s increased pH and cause disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between H. pylori infection and prevalence of parasitic infection in patients in Ilam. Materials and Methods: Following stool samples collection during 2013 in patients with abdominal pain in Ilam, Iran. H. pylori infection was investigated based on stool antigen analysis (HPSA) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method in patients who had recurrent abdominal pain. Stool specimens were examined using the direct examination and the spontaneous sedimentation method for detecting the trophozoite and cyst of parasites. Results: In this study, we found 65 patients with H. pylori infection. Out of these 65 patients, the percentage of patients with positive results for Giardia lamblia was 30.7% and for Entamoebahistolytica/dispar was 12.3%. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that H. pylori infection may provide favorable conditions for giardiasis infection; however, this presumption needs further studies with larger sample size.

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The fauna of Onychiurinae were investigated in different parts of Kermanshah province during 2013–2014. Specimens were collected from both leaf litter and surface layer of the soil. Totally four species from three genera were found. All of them are new for Kermanshah province and Protaphorura levantina (Christiansen, 1956), Heteraphorura cf. japonica (Yosii, 1967) and Vibronychiurus archivari (Christiansen, 1956) were not previously recorded in Iran; it is also the first time that the genus of Vibronychiurus Pomorski, 1998, is collected and reported for the country.

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A survey on the megachilid bees (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) fauna of northern Iran, between 2010 and 2011, led to the identification of eleven species of the genus Coelioxys Latreille belonging to subgenera Allocoelioxys (6 species), Boreocoelioxys (2 species), Coelioxys (2 species) and Liothyrapis (1 species). Of these, six species and one subgenus (Liothyrapis) are new to the fauna of Iran. Detailed illustrations of morphological characters, a key to the species of the genus Coelioxys and an updated checklist of Iranian species of Coelioxys are provided.

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Background: Streptococcus agalactiae, also known as Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a commensal organism in the urogenital tract and rectum in approximately 25% of the healthy adult female population. The bacterium is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis, pneumonia, and sepsis in human infants.
Materials and Methods: Our study was performed over a three - month period from April to June 2014. Midstream specimens of urine were collected from outpatients suspected of having a bacterial urinary tract infection, which had not received any antibiotics. Group B Streptococci isolates were confirmed by typical colony morphology and identified by differential tests. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was carried out by disk diffusion method on Mueller Hinton agar (Merck, Germany) based on (CLSI) Guidelines 2012.
Results: GBS strains were isolated from 264 (21.1%) cases (out of 1249 positive bacterial urine cultures). The higher prevalence was recorded in the 15-44 and 45-64 age groups. Antibiotic susceptibility tests revealed that vancomycin, penicillin, and linezolid had the lowest, and tetracycline had the highest resistance rate.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the results of the present study confirm the universal susceptibility of GBS strains to the penicillin family and assert the use of penicillin or ampicillin as the first drug of choice for treatment and prophylaxis against GBS infections. However, it is important to perform antibiotic susceptibility testing whenever penicillin could not be prescribed.