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Background: Adhesion and biofilm formation are two important steps in Candida pathogenesis. The aim of the current study was to investigate the presence of bcr1 gene in Candida albicans (C. albicans) isolates from women with vaginal candidiasis and its impact on biofilm formation. Methods: We used 50 clinical isolates which confirmed C. albicans by PCR-RFLP. Then total RNA was extracted from C. albicans isolates by glass bead and lysis buffer, and cDNA was synthesized using reverse transcriptase enzyme. RT-PCR (Reverse Transcriptase PCR) was used to evaluate the expression of bcr1 gene. Biofilm formation was evaluated in 96-well microplate and then tetrazolium reduction was assayed. All data were analyzed using t-test by SPSS software. Results: Fifty clinical isolates out of 150 were confirmed as C. albicans by using PCR-RFLP method. All the isolates were resistant to fluconazole, 47/50(94%) isolates had bcr1 gene by using PCR, and 45(95.7%) out of 47 isolates, showed BCR1 expression by the RT-PCR. Isolates which harbored bcr1 gene was succeed to form a dense biofilm on microplate. Comparison of the results of the tetrazolium reduction assay on the two isolates that had BCR1expression and two isolates that had no BCR1 expression showed significant differences (p=0.014). Conclusion: According to our result, all of the isolates that had bcr1 gene expression according to RT-PCR, were also resistant to fluconazole in disk diffusion test and additionally, their adherence was higher compared to the control group. These results indicate that there is a positive relation between expression of bcr1 gene and biofilm formation.

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Background: This study was performed to determine antifungal activity of silver nanoparticles (nano-Ag) compared to voriconazole on clinical and standard strains of Aspergillus fumigatus.
Materials and Methods: Inhibitory potency of nano-Ag was determined using microtiter broth dilution method. Susceptibility tests were performed against A. fumigatus isolated from BAL (bronchoalveolar lavage) of patients who suffered from respiratory problems and compared with the strain (ATCC: 204305) by broth dilution antifungal susceptibility test of filamentous fungi approved by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute M38-A. In addition, cytotoxicity effect of silver nanoparticles was studied on epithelial cell line by MTT assay.
Results: From 60 BAL samples the following strains were isolated; A. flavus (n=21), A. niger (n=3), and A. fumigatus (n=1). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC₉₀) values of nano-Ag were 0.25 and 0.5 μg.mL^-1 for standard strain and clinical isolates respectively. The  Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) values of nano-Ag were 0.5 and 1 μg.mL^-1for standard strain and clinical isolates respectively. MIC90 values of voriconazole were 0.125 and 0.25 μg.mL^-1 for standard strain and clinical isolate respectively. The MFC values of voriconazole were 0.25 and 0 μg.mL^-1 for standard strain and clinical isolates respectively. Silver nanoparticles exhibited low cytotoxicity in 0.25 μg.mL^-1 concentration.
Conclusion: Our results showed high antifungal activity of silver nanoparticles against Aspergillus isolates. Furthermore, the availability of a wide form of nano-Ag structures can be considered as novel agents to decrease fungal burden in medical application.

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The current paper arose from the following thought: “What are the methods and techniques used in the translation of Culture-based metaphors?” The data used in this article is the result of a comparative study on the translation of Mathnawi by Reynold Nicholson. We used Harvey 2000 model to advance the research. In accordance with the needs of the study, metaphoric significance is presented. Six different types of significations are recognized here; than a sextet significance pattern, is presented, which might be used for any two languages being source and target for translation. As the final outcome of the research, different suggestions for these different signification types have been presented, which are based on the nature of the metaphors. Having these suggestions in hand, translators have a model to follow, so that they can overcome the translatability problems they may face in translation of metaphorical expressions. In the other words, applying this newly-born significance into translation practice and, finally, presenting a model for the translation of culture-based items are  two main achievements of the research.  

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Applying current quality management models is not proper for military research organizations relating different fields of human resource, strategic management, leadership, culture and organizational behavior. Application of these models organizations and may cause some issues for these organizations. This research paper aiming at upholding current EFQM excellence model is based on a research being hold in the military research organizations, according to which the conceptual research model was designed. The research followed an applied purpose through survey data collection method. The validity of the aspects, categories and indicators of the model was strongly confirmed by the experts. The results of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique received 336.8 out of 1000 as a general score for all localized criteria. Leadership and management, having a score of 51.7, were the highest, and resource management and shareholding were at the lowest position among the enablers. In relation to increasing values for users, the score was highest and it was the lowest for shareholders.      

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Directional felling of trees plays a key role in reducing of damages to forest residual trees and can also facilitate skidding. The aim of this study was presents a practical linear model for estimation of tree falling direction error in an uneven-aged mixed stand in northern forests of Iran. To conduct the study a number of 95 trees of four species Fagus Orientalis Lipsky, Carpinus Betulus L., Alnus Subcordata C.A. May and Acer Platanoides were randomly selected,and assumed felling direction were  marked on the trunk of these trees. The trees felled by experienced chainsaw operators, and the differences between the assumed and actual direction were measured as the felling error. The results showed that among the 12 effective factors, the elements of foot slope, diameter at the breast height (DBH), horizontal and vertical angles and area of the backcut surface (HABS, VABS, BA),vertical angle and area of undercut surface (VAUS, UA) significantly correlated with the felling error, and the determination coefficient (R²) of presented linear model was 52.0 % (P < 0.01). Among the model factors, DBH, VABS, and HABS had the three most pronounce impact on felling error.

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Backgrounds: Due to the emergence of multidrug-resistant Candida species, the discovery of new antifungal agents with minimum side effects is essential. The aim of this study was to investigate the antifungal activity of caprylic acid and nano-encapsulated caprylic acid against C. albicans as well as their effect on the expression of EFG1 gene.
Materials & Methods: In this laboratory trial study, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of caprylic acid and nano-encapsulated caprylic acid against C. albicans was evaluated at various concentrations (400-625 and 1.3-50 μL/mL, respectively). Real time-PCR was performed to assess the expression level of EFG1 gene. Cytotoxicity effect of caprylic acid and nano-encapsulated caprylic acid was evaluated on SW480 cell line using MTT test.
Findings: Antifungal activity findings displayed that MIC90 and MIC50 values of caprylic acid were 500 and 450 μg/mL, respectively, whereas MIC90 and MIC50 values of nano-encapsulated caprylic acid were 6.2 and 3.1 μg/mL, respectively. The expression of EFG1 gene significantly decreased in the groups treated with caprylic acid and nano-encapsulated caprylic acid compared to the control group. According to the cytotoxicity evaluation findings, the viability of cells treated with caprylic acid was significantly higher than that of cells exposed to nano-encapsulated caprylic acid.
Conclusions: According to the obtained results, nano-encapsulated caprylic acid successfully inhibited C. albicans growth at a lower concentration compared to caprylic acid. Overall, it was found that nano-encapsulated caprylic acid is a promising antifungal agent against Candida species; however, further studies are needed to be performed about nano-encapsulation of caprylic acid.

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During a survey in 2016, Convolvulus glomeratus showing symptoms resembling those caused by phytoplasmas were observed in Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan province, Iran. These plants were examined for phytoplasma presence by nested-PCR assays using universal primer pair P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/R16R2. All the infected plants indicated positive results using universal primer pairs of P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/R16R2. Results of phylogenetic and virtual RFLP analyses of the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the phytoplasma associated with Convolvulus glomeratus witches' broom (CgWB) was a strain of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma phoenicium'. The phytoplasma was successfully transmitted to healthy plants by leafhopper, Orosius albicinctus (Distant) which account as a vector of this phytoplasma. This is the first report on the presence of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma phoenicium’ (phytoplasma group 16SrIX-J) in C. glomeratus and its insect vector in Iran.
 

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Aims: the aim of this study was to extract gelatin from the skin of farmed great sturgeon at different temperatures, hydrolysis using Alcalase enzyme, and to measure molecular weight distribution of peptides, amino acid composition and antioxidant activity of hydrolysates.
 
Materials & Methods: After removing pigments and non-collagenous proteins, defatting, and swelling of triple-helix structure, gelatin was extracted at temperatures of 50, 60, 70 and 80 ºC for 6 h and then hydrolysed using Alcalase (E/S ratio of 1:20 w/w) for 3 h. Molecular weight distribution of peptides, amino acid composition and antioxidant activity of hydrolysates were determined.
 
Findings: Degree of hydrolysis reached its maximum within the first 30 min. Hydolysate from extraction temperature of 80 ºC had the highest DH.  No significant differences were found among hydrolysates with regards to amino acid composition and peptide molecular weight distribution. At of 60 ºC, the content of small peptides (< 1 kDa) and amino acids were slightly higher compared to other samples. This could influence antioxidant activity to some degree. At higher extraction temperature of gelatin, the efficacy of hydrolysates in preventing the loss in total sulfhydryl groups content was decreased (P < 0.05) while TBARS and surface hydrophobicity were not influenced (P < 0.05).
 
Conclusion: Extraction temperature of gelatin did not reveal a considerable effect on properties and antioxidant activities of the resulting hydrolysates and gelatin hydrolysates with antioxidant activity and rich in peptides with molecular weight less than 1 kDa could be produced at 50 ºC.

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Backgrounds: In this research, an attempt was made to identify Candida isolates collected from women with suspected vulvovaginal candidiasis using single Multiplex PCR reaction as a swift and valid method. Beside, this method was compared with phenotypic methods.
Materials & Methods: In this study, 250 vaginal swabs were collected from patients referring to obstetrics and gynecology specialists. In addition to phenotypic methods, multiplex PCR designed by species-specific primers was performed to identify Candida isolates in a single reaction. Descriptive statistics were analyzed by t-test and Chi-square test in SPSS software (Ver. 22) (p< .05).
Findings: According to the results, 92 positive samples were diagnosed using the culture method. Four species were identified by culturing the specimens on CHROM agar. The most common Candida species isolated was C. albicans (54.3%), followed by C. parapsilosis (28.2%), C. glabrata (17.4%), and C. krusei (1.0%). The most common Candida spp. identified by Multiplex PCR method were C. albicans (50.0%), C. glabrata (33.7%), and C. parapsilosis (6.2%). Also, three mixed infections with C. albicans and C. glabrata as well as C. albicans and C. parapsilosis were identified
Conclusion: In comparison to phenotypic methods, considering the cost-effectiveness of PCR methods, the single multiplex PCR reaction was shown to be efficient in epidemiological studies on pathogenic species.

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Despite successful lime witches'-broom (LWB) phytoplasma transmission by Hishimonus phycitis to the lime trees and Bakraee seedlings, there is no published document regarding LWB transmission by H. phycitis to lime seedlings. To study the possibility of vector-based transmission to lime seedlings, the feral leafhoppers were collected in LWB-infected lime orchards and caged on one-year old Mexican lime seedlings. Six months after inoculation, 50% of inoculated seedlings showed typical symptoms of LWB and were strongly positive in PCR assays. To our knowledge, this is the first report of transmission of Ca. P. aurantifolia to Mexican lime seedlings by H. phycitis under greenhouse condition.
 
 

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In recent years economists have become increasingly interested in Institutionalism. Institutionalism has different branches and encountered some critics. In this article, we first rely on comparative study to review the institutionalism and provide new division in the paradigm and then examine the Searle's critics to institutionalists for their neglect to language as an important institution while it is central to philosophical concerns. Findings of this study indicate that considering language as an institution, this relates institutional theory to the so called discourse theory. Therefore, such a correlation would improve institutional theory.

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Objective: Toxoplasmosis, caused by an intracellular protozoan parasite, and the Toxoplasma gondii, is widespread throughout the world. In recent years, significant progress has been made in the identification of vaccine candidates which could induce a protective response. GRA7, an excretory 29 kDa Toxoplasma gondii a dense granular antigen released by infected host cells. In tachyzoite-infected cells, p29 accumulates within the parasitophorous vacuole and co-localizes with its delimiting membrane. Materials and Methods: In the present work, first genomic DNA of Toxoplasma gondii was extracted and used for amplifying of GRA7 gene as a template. Then PCR product was extracted from agarose gel and cloned into TOPO vector. The plasmid containing GRA7 gene was extracted from the transformed bacteria (TOP10 strain) and sequenced. Results: Sequence analysis of GRA7 gene cloned into TOPO vector showed only one base difference when composed with the gene bank sequence for RH strain was only one base. Conclusion: The results indicated that this clone is suitable for subcloning in Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic plasmid.

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In this paper, optimal trajectory planning of flexible joint manipulator in point-to-point motion is presented in which besides the determining the maximum load carrying capacity, the vibration amplitude is also reduced. The solution method is on the base of the indirect solution of optimal control problem. For this purpose, an appropriate objective function is defined, dynamic equations are derived in state space form, Hamiltonian function is developed and necessary optimality conditions are obtained by using the Pontryagin maximum principle. In order to reduce the vibration of the end effector during the path, an appropriate state variables are defined and the control law is improved to omit the suddenly variation in applied torque. Then, in order to illustrate the power and efficiency of the proposed method, a number of simulation tests are performed for a two-link manipulator. To this end, after deriving the equation in details, two simulations are performed. In the first case, determining the maximum load without considering the vibration is solved, in the second simulation, optimal trajectory with maximum load and minimum vibration is obtained. Finally discussions on the obtained results are presented.

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مقایسه عملکرد لرزه ای میراگرهای تسلیمی مرکزی از فولاد ساختمانی و فولاد با حد جاری شدن پایین در ساختمانهای فولادی متداول سید مهدی زهرائی دانشیار قطب علمی مهندسی و مدیریت زیرساختهای عمرانی، دانشکده عمران دانشگاه تهران mzahrai@ut.ac.ir سبحان آرمان نیکو کارشناس ارشد مهندسی زلزله- پژوهشکده ساختمان و مسکن sobhan.arman@gmail.com در این تحقیق به مقایسه عملکرد لرزه ای میراگرهای تسلیمی مرکزی با درصد بازشوی 20 تا 30%، از فولاد ساختمانی و فولاد با حد جاری شدن پایین در ساختمانهای فولادی متداول پرداخته شده است. بدین منظور قابهای یک طبقه با استفاده از نرم افزار ANSYS تحت تحلیل قرار گرفته اند و با استفاده و استناد به نتایج حاصله ابتدا همین سازه ها با مقاطع و هندسه مشابه در نرم افزار SAP2000 مدلسازی شده و پس از مطابقت نتایج، مدلهای قابهای فولادی 5 و 7 طبقه در نرم افزار SAP2000 به روش تحلیل بار افزون تحت تحلیل قرار گرفته اند. نتایج به دست آمده نشان دهنده بهبود رفتار لرزه ای این قابها در صورت استفاده از فولاد با حد جاری شدن پایین به جای فولاد معمولی در سیستم قاب مرکزی می باشد. افزایش سختی قاب با میراگر حداقل به میزان 5/1 برابر، کاهش تغییرمکان حد تسلیم حداقل به میزان 50 درصد، بهبود منحنی های هیسترزیس و همچنین تشکیل عمده مفاصل پلاستیک بر روی اعضا میراگر تسلیمی مرکزی ازجمله نتایج بدست آمده می باشد. کلید واژه ها: میراگر تسلیمی مرکزی، فولاد ساختمانی، فولاد با حد جاری شدن پایین، منحنی هیسترزیس، مفصل پلاستیک. Comparing Seismic Performance of Yielding Damped Braced Frames with Mild and Low-Yield Steel in Typical Steel Buildings Seyed Mehdi Zahrai Associate Professor, Center of Excellence for Engineering and Management of Civil Infrastructures, School of Civil Engineering, the University of Tehran, mzahrai@ut.ac.ir Sobhan arman nikoo M.Sc. in Earthquake Engineering, Building and Housing Research Center, sobhan.arman@gmail.com In this paper, the seismic performance of typical steel buildings with yielding damped braced frames of mild steel (MS) and 20-30% opening is compared to that having low yield steel (LYS). For this purpose, one story frames are first modeled by "ANSYS" software, then calibrating the results, these structures are carefully modeled with the same geometry and section using "SAP2000" software. Using the validated models, five and seven story frames are analyzed by the push over method in "SAP2000" software. The results demonstrate that the seismic response of these frames improves if low yield steel instead of mild steel is used in central frame system. The results for the frame with damper included: stiffness increase minimum 1.5 times, at least 50% reduction of yielding point displacement, hysteretic curves improvement and formation of the main plastic hinges on the members of the yielding damped braced frames. Key words Yielding Damped Braced Frames, Low Yield Steel, Mild Steel, Hysteretic Curve, Plastic Hinge.

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On the factors affecting economic growth and per-capita income, the less attention has been paid to “population age structure”. We aim to investigate the effect of changes in population age structure on per capita income in Iran. To do this, we identify the most important effective channels according to review of literature. Then we design an empirical model that indicates the relationship between population age structure and per-capita income based on the neoclassical growth literature. In the next step we estimate and test the model in three specifications by Auto-Regressive Distributed Lags (ARDL) method during 1968-2010. The results indicate that the per capita income elasticity of labor supply (as the direct effectiveness channel of changes in population age structure on per capita income) is positive. In addition, indirect channels (which include savings, human capital and government spending) indicate that the per capita income elasticity with respect to an increase in share of population between the ages 15 to 64 is positive, and per capita income elasticity with respect to an increase in share of population below age 15 and above age 65 is negative.  

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Objective: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is an endemic infectious disease considered to be a crucial health problem in many countries, including Iran. As such, there is a need for new medications with few side effects. In the present research we have studied the effect of artimisinin on  Leishmania major (L. major) and cell death in vitro. Methods: A specific number of promastigotes of L. major were grown in the presence of different concentration of artimisinin to achieve IC50 of the drug. The MTT method was applied to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of the artiminisinin on L. major. Various densities of this drug were applied to study the induction of apoptosis by flow cytometry on L. major promastigotes. Results: We calculated the IC50 of artimisinin to be 25 μg/mlby promastigote assay. Promastigotes were incubated at 72 hours incubation with various doses of artimisinin (10, 25, 50 and 100 μg/ml). The dose 100 μg/ml showed the most apoptosis (68.16%) by Annexin-V FITC. Whereas the 10 μg/ml dose had the least apoptosis (12.78%). There was no change in the control group. According to MTT, the toxic effect of artiminisinin on L. major promastigotes increased with increasing drug concentration. Conclusions: This study revealed that artimisinin has a little toxic effect on macrophages. According to the flow cytometry and MTT results, artimisinin can be suggested as an appropriate drug for in vivo antileishmanial study.

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Islamic mysticism developed in Persia, had reached Al-Andalus as an important cultural element, after the dominance of earlier centuries. This article wants to answer the question that if Iranian Sufis' works, especially the Persian ones, has been any impacts on Andalusian Mysticism, based on historical and comparative researching. The results show that great Andalucian Sufis such as Ibn- Massarra, Ibn- Arabi and Ibn- Abbad of Ronda aimed this school to grow up by taking effect from the eastern Sufis' – especially Iranians' – thoughts and books. Their works had a great impact on medieval-age Spain, so that even "La Reconquista" could not eliminate Islamic-Iranian mysticism from the Spanish culture.  The famous Spanish priest, San Juan de la Cruz, in his poems shows an obvious tendency to Persian mystical works. Common images and themes between Iranian Sufis and San Juan may lead one to find a historical relation among them.

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Time optimal trajectory planning of closed chain mechanisms has not been done by indirect method yet. In this paper, this problem is considered for a four bar mechanism and its solution is presented on the base of the indirect solution of optimal control problem. To this end, the additional coordinates are omitted using the holonomic constraints, so the dynamic equation is obtained with respect to only one generalized coordinate. Then the necessary conditions for optimality are derived using Pontryagin's minimum principle by considering the constraint on the applied torque. The obtained equations lead to a two-point boundary value problem (BVP) that its solution is the optimum answer. Unlike the direct methods that result in approximate solution, indirect method leads to an exact solution. But the main challenge in indirect method is solving the BVP. Solving this problem is sensitive to the initial guess. This problem is much more severe for time optimal problem which has a high nonlinear answer in bang-bang form. To overcome this problem an algorithm is proposed to solve the time optimal problem with any desired accuracy, and the initial solution can simply be zero at the start of the algorithm. But in the time optimal trajectory the large jerk is occurred, due to control signals switching. In order to overcome this problem, another algorithm is presented to calculate the minimum time with bounded jerk. Finally, the simulation results show the performance of the proposed method in time optimal trajectory planning.