---

Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a Gram-negative bacterium and a part of the natural microflora of gastrointestinal tract in human body. K. pneumoniae has been known as one of the most common cause of nosocomial infections and multi-drug resistance pathogen. The aims of this study was to examine the detection of antimicrobial susceptibility and genetic relatedness among K. pneumoniae strains isolated from hospitals in Borujerd in western Iran using Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus (ERIC)–PCR technique.
Materials and Methods: A total of 100 K. pneumoniae isolates were collected from Borujerd hospitals from April to September 2015. After detection and confirmation of K. pneumoniae isolates by conventional laboratory methods and differential tests, antibiotic susceptibility was detected by disk diffusion method. Also, genetic relatedness of 34 selected MDR K. pneumoniae isolates were investigated by ERIC - PCR technique.
Results: Antibiotic susceptibility testing showed that among K. pneumoniae isolates, the highest antibiotic resistance was observed in ampicillin (91%) and the highest susceptibility was detected in imipenem (5.5%). More than 45% of isolates showed multi resistant phenotypes. Based on ERIC-PCR results, 31 different ERIC types were detected.
Conclusion: The results of this study indicate the increase of multi resistance K. pneumoniae in hospitals under study. The results of ERIC PCR showed high genetic diversity among K. pneumoniae strains, which indicated the poly clonal distribution of K. pneumoniae isolates in Borujerd hospitals.

---

Backgrounds: Plasmodium vivax is one of the leading causes of malaria as a severe and death disease. Malaria has always been a major challenge for human health. The study of the genetic diversity of genes in malaria-causing agents has always been a concern for researchers. One of these genes is SERA, which plays a key role in parasite escape from the immune system.
Materials & Methods: DNA was extracted from 40 blood samples taken from symptomatic malaria patients infected with P. vivax in southern and southwestern Iran using a DNA extraction kit. Then PCR was performed with specific primers, and the data were analyzed by sequencing and recording genes.
Findings: In this study, 14 different isolates were identified among all samples, which were recorded in the World Gene Bank. The number of haplotypes among the 14 samples was 12. Also, there were 25 polymorphic nucleotide positions out of about 400 nucleotide sites. The ratio of non-synonymous to synonymous mutations (1.87094) and the amount of Tajima’s D (-0.57671) indicated the positive effect of natural selection on the genetic diversity of C-terminal region in the SERA5 gene.
Conclusions: Considering the safety and relative immunogenicity of vaccines, in addition to performing clinical trials, a regional vaccine should be developed to overcome genetic variation and antigenic changes in proteins.
 

---

This article, to determine aimed the criteria and basis of accessority of accessory contracts in relation to basic obligation, in order to determine the limits and basis of accessority. In this respect, two main theories were considered; theory of subjective accessority and theory of objective accessority. According to the subjective theory, the basis of accessority of accessory contract in respect of basic obligation is the will of the parties. Consequently, this would determine the limits and effects of this accessority. On the other hand, according to the objective theory, the basis of accessority of accessory contracts could be found in this fact that the basic obligation is the subject of the accessory contracts. This material relationship between the accessory contract and the basic obligation results in complete accessority of the accessory contracts from the characteristics of basic obligation. Determination of the accessority criteria would justify different effects and characteristics of the accessory contracts, which will be discussed.

---

Inflation is the main problem which should be overcome both by the government and economic agents. The existence of inflation in an economy causes distortion and disequilibrium in the macroeconomic variables in the forms of decreasing growth rate, rising unemployment rate and uneven income distribution and so on. In addition, the uncertainties caused by the high inflation rates, raise the inflation expectations. This paper tries to found out which type of inflation expectations gives the better explanation of current inflation: backward-looking, forward-looking or some combination of the two? Using Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) and annual data over the period 1976-2008, the results of hybrid Philips model  show that inflation in Iran is significantly determined by backward-looking inflation expectations, forward-looking inflation expectations, the output gap, exchange rate, and liquidity growth. However, backward-looking inflation expectations are more important than forward-looking expectations. The findings imply that managing inflation expectations, liquidity growth, and exchange rate can complement each other to achieve overall price stability.

---

Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) are one of the most important inputs in most rainfall -Runoff models and also in deriving watersheds geomorphological characteristics. One of the most important issues that should be taken into account when using DEMs in rainfall runoff modeling is the effects of DEM source on the results of the models. At present time, radar based DEMs are attracting a considerable attention in many earth related fields. Currently, there are several sources such as: Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data and the advanced space thermal emission radiometer (ASTER) that due to ease of access and free of charge, have an important role in hydrological modeling and the extraction of geomorphological parameters of catchments. This paper addressed the effects of different DEM sources: ASTER, SRTM, and 1:50000 topographic based DEM on the topographic index and performance of a semi- distributed model, called TOPMODEL. The obtained results indicated that by increasing DEM cell size, disregarding its source, the topographic index inceased. Also, it was illustrated that for all cell sizes other that 30 m there was no difference between the results of ASTER and SRTM DEM. Such a coincidence was observed for TOPO DEM for cell sizes larger than 100 m, as well. Results showed that the effect of data resolution on the average daily discharge, average saturation deficit of basin and the average distance to water table level is not meaningful. In daily discharge simulation, the performance of TOPMODEL when using the TOPO DEM ,based on the NASH- SUTCLIFFE efficiency index, was the highest and for the SRTM DEM was the lowest. In flood simulation, upto 200 m resolution, TOPMODEL efficiency was constant disregarding the DEM source, while its efficiency reduced for cell sizes greater than 200 m in all conditions. It was illustrated that by increasing the cell size, surface runoff contribution to total runoff, in contrast to subsurface flow, increased. Furthermore, For all of the sources, increasing the DEM cell size, incresesd the surface runoff contribution and decreased subsurface flow. The percent of surface flow simulated by the model when implementing the DEM of SRTM is the highest. According to achieved results, the percentage of simulated surface runoff from SRTM DEM was higher than the other two sources. It was observed that the number of cells of low slope in SRTM DEM is greater than the other sources, which was concluded as the main reason for this issue. Reducing the slope of a cell could reduce its potential to carry subsurface flow, which in turn could increase the cell potential to be saturated. It was concluded that DEM different sources effects on average saturation deficit and water table is negligible, and these ouputs of TOPMODEL is mainly affected by DEMs cell size. Finally, this important conclusion was drawn from the present research that the information content of ASTER DEM is nearly similar to TOPO DEM and higher than SRTM DEM; therefore, between satellite based DEMs, it is more convenient to use ASTER DEM for rainfall runoff modeling.

---

Rainfall Runoff modeling especially in ungauged watersheds is almost dependent on hydro-geomorphologic data. In this regard, the effects of data and DEM resolution on deriving watershed’s geomorphologic data such as subbasins area, channels and subbasins’ slope should be well realized in modeling. In this research, HEC-HMS as the rainfall runoff model and two subbasins with different areas, geomorphologic properties and climate were selected for studying. By reducing the cell size of the DEM derived from a topo map, simulated peaks increased. For DEM cell sizes less than 100 m, the differences in simulated peak were limited to 2 to 5%. Using SRTM DEMs against the topo DEM at the scale of 1:25000, representing the effects of data resolution in rainfall runoff modeling, led to obtaining higher flood peaks at the two watersheds. Such an outcome was obtained for time to peak, hydrograph base time, and the slope of hydrograph rising limb. Change of SRTM DEM resolution affected the model output more than the case of using topo DEM. Decreasing DEMs resolution by decreasing information content of the topo DEM reduced differences in the model output when using two different sources of DEM. Furthermore, it is concluded that the extent of scale effect in modeling could not be inferred by watershed size. It was illustrated that HEC-HMS application in a watershed of more diversity was more sensitive to data resolution. Using cell size of 100 m and less could guaranty the result of the HEC-HMS application regardless of DEM origin and size of watersheds. Rainfall Runoff modeling especially in ungauged watersheds is almost dependent on hydro-geomorphologic data. In this regard, the effects of data and DEM resolution on deriving watershed’s geomorphologic data such as subbasins area, channels and subbasins’ slope should be well realized in modeling. In this research, HEC-HMS as the rainfall runoff model and two subbasins with different areas, geomorphologic properties and climate were selected for studying. By reducing the cell size of the DEM derived from a topo map, simulated peaks increased. For DEM cell sizes less than 100 m, the differences in simulated peak were limited to 2 to 5%. Using SRTM DEMs against the topo DEM at the scale of 1:25000, representing the effects of data resolution in rainfall runoff modeling, led to obtaining higher flood peaks at the two watersheds. Such an outcome was obtained for time to peak, hydrograph base time, and the slope of hydrograph rising limb. Change of SRTM DEM resolution affected the model output more than the case of using topo DEM. Decreasing DEMs resolution by decreasing information content of the topo DEM reduced differences in the model output when using two different sources of DEM. Furthermore, it is concluded that the extent of scale effect in modeling could not be inferred by watershed size. It was illustrated that HEC-HMS application in a watershed of more diversity was more sensitive to data resolution. Using cell size of 100 m and less could guaranty the result of the HEC-HMS application regardless of DEM origin and size of watersheds.

---

This study aimed to investigate the effect of chemical modification with adipic acid/acetic anhydride mixture (1:30) on the physicochemical and functional properties of amaranth starch and also to determine the optimal conditions for amaranth starch chemical modification with the mentioned mixture. Amaranth starch was isolated and then modified under nine different treatments designed by the Taguchi method using three main chemical modification factors, including the mixture of adipic acid /acetic anhydride concentration (4%, 6%, and 8%), reaction time (60, 90 and 120 min) and suspension pH (8, 8.5 and 9). Swelling power, solubility, color, paste clarity, thermal properties, freeze-thaw stability, and apparent viscosity of starch samples were investigated. Modification optimal conditions were determined using Taguchi analysis and the related percentage deviation (RPD) method. The result obtained from this study showed that the chemical modification significantly changed the physicochemical and functional properties of amaranth starch. Adipic acid/ acetic anhydride mixture improved the swelling power, solubility, viscosity, and paste clarity of modified starch than native. Modified starch powders showed more lightness, less yellowness, and redness in color. Chemical modification reduced gelatinization temperatures, gelatinization enthalpy, and freeze-thaw stability. However, since other food components such as sugars, salt, hydrocolloids, etc., influence the freeze-thaw stability of starch, the possibility of modified amaranth starch utilization as a stabilizer, thickener, or fat replacer in food products with the mentioned mixture needs additional research is required to be conducted. The optimum modification conditions were a concentration of 6%, a reaction time of 120 minutes, and a pH of 9.

---

The purpose of this study was to investigate dairy processors market power in Iran. For this purpose, the dynamic imperfect competition model, in which processors are allowed to exert market power in both downstream (selling dairy products) and upstream (buying raw milk from dairy farmers) was applied. Market power parameters, dairy products demand, and raw milk supply elasticities were jointly estimated in a system of equations including market margin, dairy demand, and raw milk supply equations by none linear estimation technique. Data for the period 1992 to 2012 on the industry level were used for estimating an empirical version of the model. The result indicated that conjectural elasticities values were a departure from zero, which reflected non-competitive behavior in dairy market and in raw milk market specifically. Among three dairy products including pasteurized milk, yogurt, and cheese, the conjectural elasticity was the highest for the pasteurized market and the lowest for yogurt. The result suggests that dairy industries processors exercise marketing power in the downstream and upstream market in the dairy products supply chain. Therefore, policymakers must make appropriate policy for facilitating entrance conditions for new dairy processors and improve farmers’ marketing cooperative so as to have more competitive raw milk price.

---

In this research, quinoa starch samples were evaluated in 9 treatments with different proportions of adipic acid and acetic anhydride mixture (ratio 1 to 30), along with a control sample in terms of physicochemical and functional characteristics and determining the optimal conditions for chemical modification. The mentioned treatments were designed by 3 independent variables affecting chemical modification, including chemical modifier concentration (2%, 4% and 6%), suspension pH (8, 8.5 and 9) and reaction time (60, 90, 120 minutes) by Taguchi method. became The swelling power and water absorption capacity of sample T2 (modifier concentration 2%, suspension pH 9 and reaction time 120 minutes) significantly increased compared to the control sample, which is a sign of the formation of crosslinks along with the formation of stable three-dimensional gel networks. Spectroscopy results showed that except for T2 sample, the rest of the samples had a slight tendency to retrogradation, which was a sign of the high stability of the said sample during the retention period to syneresis (p<0.05). Acetylation significantly improved the solubility characteristics compared to the control sample due to the better dispersion of starch in the aqueous medium. With the increase in the modifier concentration, the stability of the samples against the freeze-thaw cycle decreased significantly (p<0.05). The investigated parameters in measuring the thermal characteristics of modified quinoa starch were evaluated with a significant difference more than the control sample. The apparent viscosity of the T2 sample at the shear speed of 20, 50 and 100 rpm increased significantly compared to the control sample, but the other samples showed a lower viscosity. Also, using Taguchi analysis, the optimal treatment of modified quinoa starch with 2% modifier concentration, suspension pH 9 and reaction time 120 minutes was determined.

---

This study aimed to investigate the residue levels and dissipation rates of chlorpyrifos, diazinon, and their oxon derivatives in greenhouse-grown tomatoes and to evaluate the acute and chronic Hazard Quotients (HQ) for consumption of these products. The quantification analyses of chlorpyrifos and diazinon and their degradation products were performed using Gas Chromatography Coupled with Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The Monte Carlo simulation technique was used to evaluate the variability and uncertainty of the data and to achieve more accurate results in the health risk assessment process. The chronic HQ values of chlorpyrifos and diazinon residues ranged from 0.24 to 0.85 and 0.06 to 1.09 for adults, 0.45 to 1.34 and 0.12 to 1.66 for adolescents, and 0.71 to 1.80 and 0.21 to 3.78 for children, respectively. After five days of storage in room and refrigerator temperatures, the HQ values of diazinon and chlorpyrifos were higher than the acceptable limits. According to the Monte Carlo simulation, the HQ and the estimated daily intake (EDI) values were more affected by the consumption rate followed by pesticide concentration and body weight. Therefore, due to the high frequency of tomato consumption, it is necessary to reduce the concentration of pesticides in this product in order to reduce human health risk.