---

We present a method to predict the flexible and rigid regions based on sequence. We use the free energy of two consequent amino acids to define a factor for distinguishing flexible regions from the rigid ones. Using statistical analysis of this free energy, we assign a normalized number between zero to one hundred which we call it flexibility number. Taking the effects of up to four neighbors of an amino acid, into account, resulted in an efficient prediction of flexible and rigid regions of a protein.

---

This study examines Iranian agricultural researchers’ attitudes regarding collaboration with extension workers and the variables associated with the researchers’ attitudes. Data were obtained using a questionnaire developed by Agricultural Research Centers of Charmahal and Bakhtiari, Isfahan, Safiabad and Khuzestan in 1998. The findings re-vealed that the researchers’ attitudes towards collaboration with the extension workers were generally positive although actual collaboration between researchers and the exten-sion workers was at a low level. Therefore, it seems that lack of an overall strong relation-ship of attitudes with current behavior as well as weak collaboration is related to other factors that need to be studied more, for example management of participation or internal factors in each sub-system of extension or research etc. identified that The following fac-tors/characteristics of agricultural researchers were identified as having a positive corre-lation/association with their attitude towards collaborating with extension workers: higher research experience, greater interaction with extension workers, a lower scientific position or possessing a higher management position, greater participation in seminars and colloquiums related to extension, and the influence/thinking of colleagues and man-agers.

---

The aim of this study was to produce protein isolates from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and to investigate its nutritional, structural, functional and sensory properties. Fish protein isolates were produced by pH change method using alkaline and acidic pHs (2.5, 3.5, 11 and 11.5). The extracted proteins were evaluated for nutritional value, and functional properties, sensory properties, color, and structural changes of proteins. The extracted proteins showed relatively high nutritional value in the amount of essential amino acids. The solubility, gelling and foaming capacity of the proteins depended significantly on its extraction pH. So that the percentage of solubility and foaming capacity of proteins extracted under alkaline conditions showed a higher rate than acidic conditions while the least gelation concentration was related to pH 11.5. Examination and comparison of color (L, a, b and whiteness) and sensory properties of isolated proteins showed that proteins at acidic pH had a brighter and whiter color and better sensory properties than those from alkaline pH. The change in pH caused extensive protein degradation as shown by FTIR and SEM. The above results showed that the protein isolated from rainbow trout waste has good functional and nutritional properties in alkaline conditions, while the sensory properties and color of acidic conditions showed better results.

---

Controlled delivery technology of protein/peptide drugs from biodegradable particles has emerged as one of the eminent areas to overcome problems related to macromolecules formulation. The goal of the present study was to develop protein-loaded micro-particles using biodegradable polymer, polycaprolactone (PCL) and hydrogel from beluga cartilage. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used as a model for protein/ peptide molecules such as GnRH. The double emulsion (W/O/W) technique was selected as one of the most appropriate methods for preparing a drug delivery system for soluble proteins in water. The first emulsion was prepared using ultrasonic and the mechanical agitator was used for achieving the second emulsion. The hydrogel prepared by enzymatic digestion was used in the first aquatic solution. At the present investigation, three groups were considered as the drug delivery system: G1; (PCL/hydrogel/BSA), G2; (PCL/BSA) and G3; (PCL/Alginate/BSA). Findings showed that the morphology of particles was spherical and non-conglomerated in all groups. The comparison of average particle size among groups was also indicated that the particles.

---

Nowadays, more attention is being paid to customers’ satisfaction as funding decisions are made. Extension organization, which plays an important role in educating farmers, must know how far the learners are satisfied with its educational program. Accordingly, this study was conducted in Yazd Province (Iran) with the main objective of investigating the pomegranate growers’ satisfaction with their extension-education courses. A survey method was adopted for the study and 150 people were selected as sample out of 478 learners participating in the courses from 2003-2004 throughout the province. A ques-tionnaire was developed as the tool of study. The questionnaire was found to be valid and reliable (Cronbachs' alpha was 0.93). The results showed that the courses did not achieve many of their teaching objectives and were assessed as achieving their goals to a moderate extent. The contents of the courses were assessed as being comprehensive, applied, and new to a high, moderate, and low extent, respectively. The respondents are very satisfied with teachers’ characteristics and with the locality and facilities of courses, but were satis-fied with teaching methods to a low extent. They generally had a positive and favorable attitude towards the pomegranate extension-education courses. According to the study there were significant relationships between learners’ satisfaction with courses and their annual income, pomegranate yield, pomegranate production, times of participation in courses, and attitude toward the courses. Stepwise regression analysis indicated that three variables, attitude toward the courses, pomegranate yield and pomegranate production totally accounted for 77.8 percent of variations in learners’ satisfaction with the pome-granate extension-education courses.

---

The aim of this study was to extract astaxanthin from banana shrimp (Fenneropenaeus merguiensis) using ultrasound assisted method and to investigate its antioxidant properties. Extraction with organic acetone solvent was performed by soaking on a magnetic stirrer at room temperature for 5, 10, and 15 minutes, as well as neutralization tests of DPPH and ABTS free radicals. Fe³⁺ ion reduction was carried out. One-way analysis of variance was used for statistical analysis of the data. The best astaxanthin yield was 79.5±0.012 µg/g in the conditions of 20 minutes of magnetic stirrer at ambient temperature with 400 watts of ultrasound for 10 minutes, and the lowest average yield was observed in the condition of 15 minutes of magnetic stirrer at ambient temperature with 400 watts of ultrasound with a time of 15 minutes with a value of 69.3±0.049 µg/g. The findings of all three ABTS, DPPH, and Fe3+ ion reduction tests revealed that the settings were 20 minutes of magnetic stirrer at ambient temperature followed by 10 minutes of 400 watts of ultrasound. In summary, the results of this study demonstrated that using ultrasound for a shorter period of time has a better effect, while increasing the time diminishes the yield and antioxidant qualities.

---

ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to produce protein isolates from the head of the Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) and study its functional and structural properties. Fish protein isolates were prepared by the pH shift method using alkaline pHs 10.5, 11, 11.5, 12, and 12.5. The results showed that the efficiency of protein extraction and its amount of essential amino acids at pH 11.5 were higher than other treatments. Furthermore, the results of determination of functional properties such as Water Holding Capacity, Oil Holding Capacity, emulsifying properties, foaming and solubility of the isolated proteins showed that as the pH increased, the functional properties improved and the protein isolates at pH 11.5 compared with other treatments was significantly higher. (p < 0.05). Comparison of the color characteristics (L, a and b) of the isolated proteins showed at pH 12 were more bright (higher L parameter) than those isolated in other treatments tested. In addition, the amount of red (parameter a) and yellowness (parameter b) of the isolated proteins decreased with increasing pH. The results of the organoleptic examination of the smell and taste of protein isolates at pH 11.5 are the most common among other treatments. According to the observed cases, the results show that the resulting Siberian sturgeon isolate protein has favorable functional properties and that the use of alkaline pH changes can lead to improved functional properties and parameters of color protein isolates.

---

The purpose of this study was to determine students’ attitudes toward international agricultural issues. The population for the study consisted of agricultural extension students at Tehran and Shiraz Universities, Agriculture and Natural Resources Colleges’ (N= 170). A stratified random sampling technique was employed to select samples, (n= 120). The study was conducted during the fall 2007 using a descriptive, correlational design. Cronbach’s alpha, an internal consistency measure, was employed to estimate the reliability. The reliability for the instrument was found to be acceptable (Alpha= 0.89). Questionnsire was employed to assess the students’attitudes toward international agricultural issues. Results revealed that students had positive or “in agreement” attitudes toward international agricultural issues. They especially were of the belief that they should know more about agriculture and its important standing in the world economy. Moreover, students were “in agreement” concerning educational methods, which can help them learn international agricultural issues.

---

Base isolation technique is a new approach in seismic design of structures in which an isolation layer at the bottom of structure helps to reduce earthquake effects on the system. However this powerful technique is less effective in the near-fault regions due to long period pulses of earthquake records. In this work two base isolated structures subjected to pulse type earthquakes were studied. The fixed base natural periods in these structures are chosen far apart (0.4 and 0.75 second), but their isolated periods are chosen equal to each other (2.5 seconds). The main objective of this study is to investigate on the role of linear and nonlinear viscous dashpots on responses of base isolated buildings subjected to near-fault earthquakes. So that, a number of near-fault records along with some far-fault ones are used in a series of time integration analyses on both structures. The model for base isolation system in this work is a simplified model in which the base isolated building is assumed as a system with only two degrees of freedom. The main structural system and the isolation components are all assumed to behave linear in the analysis procedure. Analyses have been carried out for both structures, equipped with linear and nonlinear viscous dashpots. In case of nonlinear viscosity, velocity exponent is assumed equivalent to 0.5. Average values of maximum responses, including damper force, super structure drift and base displacement are calculated for both types of earthquakes (near-fault and far-fault records). The results show considerable gains in reducing base displacement and superstructure drift in both structures while using nonlinear viscous dashpots. However, the role of nonlinearity in damping devices on acceleration reduction in super-structure is considered marginal. The results also indicate the existence of an optimum damping value for the system in both cases of using linear and nonlinear damping devices. Providing this amount of damping for the system, minimum value for the selected responses in the structure will follow. In practice, defining an optimum damping value for the system needs a cost benefit study based on the desired structural responses in different dashpot technologies

---

Extraction of protease from Withania coagulans’ fruits and the effect on proteolysis of Iranian UF white cheese in comparison with pure chymosin and fungi rennet (fromase) were investigated during ripening. The results indicated that, except for pH which was significantly (P< 0.05) lower in cheeses made with Withania coagulans, there was no significant difference observed among the cheeses produced with different rennet preparations as in moisture, fat and salt contents during ripening. The values of pH 4.6- SN and the Urea-polyacrylamide gel Electrophoresis (PAGE) pattern revealed severe proteolysis in cheeses produced with Withania coagulans’ enzyme as compared with animal and fungi rennets. The caseins
s1- and
disappeared in cheeses made with Withania coagulans enzyme preparations. Furthermore, a noticeable increase of soluble nitrogen in 12% trichloroacetic acid (SNTCA) was observed during ripening of cheeses made with vegetable rennet, probably due to an unspecific proteolitic activity of Withania coagulans enzymes as compared to other rennets.

---

The main purpose of this study was to investigate factors influencing knowledge sharing among the personnel of Agricultural Extension and Education Organization in the Iranian Ministry of Jihad-e Agriculture. A survey method was employed for the study, and 110 personnel randomly selected as a sample out of 140 who were busy working in the organization. Data was collected through a questionnaire employed as the tool of the study. The reliability of the questionnaire was determined as 0.93. The personnel were of the belief that knowledge sharing happened in their organization to a large extent. According to the study, there existed significant relationships between the factors of social trust, relational social capital and attitude toward knowledge sharing, and the dependent variable of knowledge sharing. A stepwise regression analysis indicated that relational social capital and attitude towards knowledge sharing could explain about 37 percent in the variations of knowledge sharing.

---

The main purpose of this study was to identify training needs of agricultural and natural resources faculty members in the use of information technology (IT) for educational and research activities. This study used a descriptive and correlational survey method and the population of the study included all faculty members at the Tehran and Tarbiat Modares Universities, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (N=267). According to Krejcie and Morgan (1970), the sample size for a population of this size was 158. A systematic sampling technique was used to select faculty members in the study. The overall Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the instrument was 0.82. Findings in respect to training needs of faculty members showed that “theories and models of online education” appeared at the top of the list of training needs and the lowest level of respondents` training need were in using Microsoft Word. The T-test result showed that there were significant differences (at the 0.01 level) in the training needs level of the faculty members who had received training during the last 5 years and those who had not . In the case of those who had access to computer and the Internet and those who did not have access, training needs differed at 0.05 level of significance. The results of Pearson's correlation coefficient showed that age had a significant and positive correlation with the faculty members` training needs level of IT use in educational and research activities. In contrast, Internet use per week and willingness for online education had a significantly negative correlation with the faculty members` IT training needs. No significant relationship was revealed between teaching experiences of the respondents and their training needs level in the use of information technologies.

---

The aim of this study was to analyze the components of Consumer behavior toward food waste. The study was a kind of applied and descriptive – correlational method. The research population was consumers of food products in Tehran city. Sample size was determine by Kerjice and Morgan table (n= 384). Proportional stratified random sampling method was used. The research instrument was a researcher-made questionnaire. Validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by a panel of expert in Agricultural Extension and Education Department, Tarbiat Modarres University. Reliability was conducted by a Pilot test and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient assumed (0/86) which show its suit for research conduct. Results of exploratory factor analysis revealed six components of consumer behavior: Cultural values, social participation, motivation, beliefs, education and awareness and perception which are composed of 60 percent of consumer behavior changes, explain.

---

---

The extensive use of traditional irrigation systems has led to overexploitation of groundwater and overuse of surface water in theUrmia  Lake Catchment (ULC) area ofIran. The purpose of this study was to model the adoption process of drip irrigation system (DIS) by apple orchardists (AOs) using the five stages of Roger’s model for Innovation Decision Process (IDP). Survey method of applying questionnaire and interview technique was used to collect data from 136 AOs. The results of the study indicated that, first, AOs’ knowledge level was “relatively low” and the majority of them were in the early stages of IDP. Secondly, applying an ordinal logistic regression, up to 36.3% of knowledge level variability, could be explained by variables consisting of: the contact level with extension agents, educational level, rural-urban commuting and information sources. Thirdly, using binary logistic regression, up to 74.1% of probability of adoption, could be explained by variables consisting of source of irrigation, knowledge scores, and orchard size. Fourthly, the main barriers for adoption were high costs, lack of license for semi deep wells, need to grow alfalfa, poor knowledge, and low surface area, respectively. Fifthly, about 0.5% of AOs had already implemented DIS. These findings were instrumental for localizing a model and developing the needed policy and institutional interventions falfa, poor knowledge, and low surface area, respectively. Fifthly, about 0.5% of AOs had already implemented DIS. These findings were instrumental for localizing a model and developing the needed policy and institutional interventions.

---

Today, there are lots of researches on finding a good alternative to sweet gums, including the use of sugar-free gum (made from alcoholic sugar). Pistacia atlantica is the source of saghes juice from the wild pistachios, and researchers from medicinal plants use saghes to make natural gums. In this study, to improve the nutritional, antioxidant and rheological properties, production of gum has been studied using base Pistacia atlantica and alcoholic sugar. Nine test formulations produced using combinations of resin, sorbitol, xylitol and isomalt, as well as mono and di-glycerylic acid citric, monosodium monohydrate and glacial acetic anhydride, lecithin and glycerol plasticizer in different amounts. Also testing Physicochemical, rheological, antioxidant and sensory evaluation done in 60 days of storage. With increasing storage time, moisture content decreased in all samples. The amount of controlled sample sweetener (50% sugar, 30% resin and 20% glucose) was about 45.47%. While in other samples, considering the use of alcoholic sugars, their sweetness content was zero percent. In all samples with increasing amount of gum, total phenol and controlling DPPH free radical increased. In total samples 4, 5, 6 and second blank with common formulation (40% resin, 34% xylitol, 5% sorbitol, 20% isomalt, 0.3% glycerol, and 0.7% essential oil of mint) in terms of high antioxidant strength, mechanical properties, moisture, overall acceptability of texture, appearance, taste, have the highest reception from assessors. According to the results of this study, it can be concluded that using gum base with alcoholic sugars and preparing optimal formulation from them, we can obtain a natural product with nutritional, antioxidant and suitable texture as a replacement to industrial gums.
 

---

Abstract
 
The bioactive compounds of Cornus mas are known as powerful antioxidants. The stability of polyphenols extract is very important and encapsulating is a good technique to increase their stability by increasing the use of bioactive compounds in food and medicine. In this research the antioxidant activity of encapsulated bioactive compounds of cornus mas extract with enteric coated nanocubosomes and their release under semi-digestion conditions were evaluated. In order to determine the effect of encapsulation on the stability of phenolic compounds and their antioxidant activity, encapsulated extract into enteric coated nano-cubosoms and free extract were investigated. Characterization analysis of the mean particle size and zeta potential value of the nanocobosomes were reported to be 49.3 nm and -16 mV, respectively. The results of release studies showed that after 30 hours the secretion of Cornus mas extract at pH 1.2 (simulated gastric media) and pH 7.4 (simulated intestinal media) were about 38% and 61%, respectively. The FTIR results showed no interaction between the extract and cubosomes. Therefore Cornus mas extract retained its antioxidant activity.