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Volume 0, Issue 0 (Articles accepted at the time of publication 2024)
Abstract
Urban landscape, as a narrative text, seeks to link social history to the arena of the city in urban open spaces. The interventions made in the environments over many years, which are manifested in the form of urban landscapes, etc., are actually new textual layers, that are the result of a relationships chain of companionship and succession in the primary text's narration. In all, there are traces of various signs related to different epochs related to the memories of the site, as well as, reception and understanding the narrative language of any urban landscape. The main question of this research is to discover the relationship between collective and individual memories with the reception of the urban landscape layers as a narrative text; and how to use these relationships in renovating the landscape in the historical urban sites.
This paper pursues the achievement of process in the reconstruction and reception of landscape in the historical sites based on the preservation of collective memories, and the Intertextuality theory as the main goal.
This qualitative research used the method of field study and semi-structured interviews with 32 citizens in the age range of 30 to 70 years of Isfahan city, and the results were analyzed with interpretative content analysis.
This study shows that in order to protect and strengthen the possibility of reception and understanding the narrative urbabn landscape as a text and the continuity of collective memories in historical sites, conserving and renovating strategies based on intertextual relations should be considered together.
Volume 0, Issue 0 (Articles accepted at the time of publication 2024)
Abstract
The study attempted to investigate the association between emotional intelligence and self-efficacy among English teachers. It also attempted to examine the role of experience in predicting this relationship. The present study was pioneering in investigating the role of experience in moderating the association between English teachers’ EI and their self-efficacy beliefs in private English school context. The participants in the present study included 120 English teachers from seven private language schools in Urmia, Iran. Two questionnaires of Teachers’ Emotional Intelligence Scale and Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale were utilized in order to collect data. Bivariate correlations, linear and multiple regressions were run to analyze the data. The findings indicated that there is a positive relationship between emotional intelligence, its subscales, and self-efficacy among English teachers. It was found that emotional intelligence can predict some of the variation in the teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs. It was also found that experience does not moderate this relationship. The study concluded that pre-service and in-service teachers can benefit from training programs that can assist them in blossoming their emotional latencies. The implications of the findings of the present study for teacher educators are that they can benefit from enhancing pre-service and in-service teachers’ EI, which will concomitantly ameliorate their self-efficacy. Future research studies are recommended to concentrate on flourishing teachers’ EI by developing pertinent activities and training courses.
Volume 0, Issue 0 (Articles accepted at the time of publication 2024)
Abstract
In spite of the potential merit of technology-enhanced education in offering an innovative educational game in the arena of English teaching and learning, they have not garnered much momentum in terms of practical research, particularly in ELT speaking domain and their potential role in the Covid-19 pandemic and post-pandemic eras. This constitutes a substantial gap in the extant corpus of literature, which will be addressed in the current study by exploring the short- and long-term impacts of immersive virtual reality and space team ESL games on the speaking abilities of Iranian EFL learners. To this light, 54 basic EFL students from private language institutions in Urmia were selected through convenience sampling and an intact group design. Three classes were randomly exposed to two treatments, encompassing virtual reality, space team, and a control group receiving traditional instruction. The participants were pre-tested with the IELTS speaking test before receiving the treatment, and the same instrument was utilized for post-tests and delayed post-tests. In contrast to the traditional group, the results demonstrated that both immersive virtual reality and space team games enhanced students' short- and long-term oral performance. The findings of this study could be well-regarded as an important proposal for considering game-based instruction as an integral component of ELT classrooms and a technique for promoting language proficiency in non-native contexts.In spite of the potential merit of technology-enhanced education in offering an innovative educational game in the arena of English teaching and learning, they have not garnered much momentum in terms of practical research, particularly in ELT speaking domain and their potential role in the Covid-19 pandemic and post-pandemic eras. This constitutes a substantial gap in the extant corpus of literature, which will be addressed in the current study by exploring the short- and long-term impacts of immersive virtual reality and space team ESL games on the speaking abilities of Iranian EFL learners. To this light, 54 basic EFL students from private language institutions in Urmia were selected through convenience sampling and an intact group design. Three classes were randomly exposed to two treatments, encompassing virtual reality, space team, and a control group receiving traditional instruction. The participants were pre-tested with the IELTS speaking test before receiving the treatment, and the same instrument was utilized for post-tests and delayed post-tests. In contrast to the traditional group, the results demonstrated that both immersive virtual reality and space team games enhanced students' short- and long-term oral performance. The findings of this study could be well-regarded as an important proposal for considering game-based instruction as an integral component of ELT classrooms and a technique for promoting language proficiency in non-native contexts.
Volume 0, Issue 0 (Articles accepted at the time of publication 2024)
Abstract
Volume 0, Issue 0 (Articles accepted for Publication 2024)
Abstract
Aim and Introduction
By integrating insights from psychology—especially cognitive psychology—into economic theory, behavioral economics provides a more realistic understanding of human behavior and economic decision-making (Thaler, 2017). A key subset of this field is behavioral finance, which posits that investment decisions are not always based on rational optimization. Instead, behavioral factors often lead to perceptual distortions, biased judgments, and irrational interpretations. These tendencies stem from various behavioral biases—collectively referred to as irrational behaviors—which commonly arise due to investors’ limited capacity to process information and the impact of emotional factors on their decision-making (Abildgren et al., 2018; Di Stefani, 2021; He & Xia, 2020; Glavatsky et al., 2021; Lan, 2014; Mayer & Siani, 2009; Tan, 2022; Yang et al., 2020).
One notable cognitive bias is herding behavior, which refers to individuals mimicking the actions of the majority. This phenomenon is particularly notorious in markets such as housing, coins, and currency, where it is widely regarded by experts as a primary driver of severe and irrational price fluctuations (Rook, 2006).
Methodology
This research employs spatial econometric techniques to analyze the effects of dependency culture on herding behavior in the housing market across 31 Iranian provinces from 1390 to 1400 (2011–2021) on a seasonal basis. Spatial econometrics extends traditional panel data models by incorporating geographical dimensions, which enables the analysis of spatial interdependence and regional heterogeneity. In the presence of spatial components, two primary issues must be addressed: spatial dependence, which refers to correlation among geographically proximate units, and spatial heterogeneity, which refers to structural differences across regions.
Before estimating the spatial panel models, tests for spatial autocorrelation were conducted to determine the necessity of incorporating spatial effects into the analysis. Specifically, Moran’s I, Geary’s C, and Getis-Ord J statistics were used to assess the presence of spatial autocorrelation among the error terms. A significant spatial dependence justifies the application of spatial econometric models. To define spatial relationships, two forms of spatial weighting structures were considered: coordinate-based distances derived from latitude and longitude, and neighborhood-based contiguity matrices that capture the relative location of each province in relation to others. Based on the detection of significant spatial autocorrelation, the Spatial Autoregressive (SAR) model was selected to capture the dynamic spatial interactions within the housing market across Iranian provinces.
Findings
The results of the spatial econometric analysis confirm that exchange rate fluctuations have a positive and statistically significant impact on the housing market across both the target provinces and their neighboring regions. This finding supports the hypothesis that dependency culture, shaped by sensitivity to macroeconomic signals such as exchange rate movements, plays a key role in fostering herd behavior within Iran’s housing sector during the study period. The presence of spatial spillovers indicates that changes in one province can influence housing activity in surrounding areas, reinforcing regional contagion effects.
In addition to the exchange rate, the variables of inflation rate, population density index, and the logarithm of stock exchange transaction volume were also found to have positive and significant effects on housing market dynamics. These factors appear to stimulate speculative behavior and intensify market activity. Conversely, the logarithm of the distance from Tehran province exhibited a negative and significant effect on housing market outcomes.
Discussion and Conclusion
In Iran, there are no legal limitations on the frequency of property transactions, which allows a residential unit or parcel of land to be repeatedly traded within a year. This lack of regulation encourages speculative and herding behavior. To mitigate this, the study recommends implementing transaction limits and a more effective taxation system, similar to those used in developed countries. For example, imposing higher taxes on multiple home ownership and on vacant housing units can discourage speculation.
Despite the high number of vacant units, a significant proportion of Iranian households remain without access to adequate housing and face declining welfare due to soaring rents. Targeted housing assistance—including free land allocation—could help meet the actual demand and reduce speculative demand, thereby limiting herd behavior.
Furthermore, price booms typically originate in metropolitan and affluent regions, suggesting that a more balanced spatial development strategy could help diffuse housing market pressures. Introducing region-specific construction and transaction regulations, especially in high-risk speculative areas, could further manage housing price volatility.
Finally, encouraging investment in parallel financial markets and increasing stability and public trust in those markets could redirect speculative behavior away from real estate. Creating viable alternative investment opportunities would absorb excess liquidity and help stabilize the housing sector.
Volume 0, Issue 0 (ARTICLES IN PRESS 2024)
Abstract
Fresh fish is a highly perishable food item and spoils easily. In this research, after investigating the antioxidant properties of the Eryngium Campestre extract (Ece), its effect along with the sodium alginate coating was evaluated on the shelf-life of rainbow trout under refrigerated conditions (4°C) for 12 days. To assess the antioxidant properties of the extract, tests such as DPPH, total phenolics, reducing power, and ABTS were performed. Subsequently, samples treated with an Ece containing alginate coating applied via spray method were analyzed for chemical parameters (TBA, TVN, and pH) , microbiological parameters (total psychrotrophic and mesophilic bacteria), and sensory evaluations at four day intervals up to the 12 day. The results indicated that Ece possessed significant antioxidant properties. Furthermore, treatments that included the extract combined with the sodium alginate coating significantly reduced pH, TVN, and TBA levels compared to the control sample (p<0.05). Microbial tests indicated that all treated samples inhibited bacterial growth when compared to the control sample, with a reduction of approximately 3 log CFU/g compared to the control group. In the sensory evaluation, treatments containing Ece and sodium alginate yielded more favorable results than those of the control group. According to the obtained results coating the samples with sodium alginate and Ece improved the microbial, chemical, and sensory properties and shelf life of rainbow trout in refrigerator conditions by about four days.
Volume 1, Issue 1 (3-2012)
Abstract
The entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. is one of the important arthropod pathogens that can play an important role in the regulation of mite populations in agricultural ecosystems. In this study, the combined effect of a native isolate of fungus B. bassiana (EUT105) and ether-extract of plant, Ginkgo biloba was evaluated against the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch. At first, effect of three concentrations 5, 10 and 20% of G. biloba was evaluated on B. bassiana conidial germination and mycelial growth. Then, potential synergism between B. bassiana and G. biloba was investigated in order to incorporate both in the control of this pest. Only the 20% concentration of plant extract had significantly inhibitive effect on germination and mycelial growth. The mortality of adult female T. urticae increased significantly when B. bassiana was applied with 5 and 10% concentrations of G. biloba extract. Hence, there is a synergistic effect between this native B. bassiana and ether-extract of G. biloba in controlling the two-spotted spider mite.
Volume 1, Issue 2 (6-2012)
Abstract
Certain compounds of plants such as essential oils, with insecticidal properties have been considered as alternatives to chemical pesticides for pest control. This study reports the fumigant toxicity of Citrus reticulata Blanco (Rutaceae) peel essential oils against stored-product insect pest, red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Tenebrionidae) adults. Experiment was carried out at 27 ± 1 °C and 60 ± 5 % relative humidity in darkness. Experimental concentrations were 15, 22, 31, 45, and 63 μl/l air tested on adult (1-7 days old) insects after 24 and 48 h of exposure. Results indicated that essential oils from C. reticulata had fumigant tocxicity effects against this stored pest. LC50 values were 38.2 and 35.6 μl/l air at 24 and 48 h after exposure of T. castaneum adults respectively. The essential oils of Citrus reticulata fruit peels at the highest dose of 63 μl/l air caused 76.6 % and 79 % mortality of insects after 24 and 48 hours of exposure, respectively. Mortality of T. castaneum increased with both increase in concentration of C. reticulata oils as well as exposure time of treated insects. These results suggest the potencial of C. reticulata oil as a control agent against T. castaneum.
Volume 1, Issue 2 (12-2003)
Abstract
King Afrasyab is the Torani famous athlete and the enemy of Iranian people in Shahnameh on which the talks have been presented concerning nearby the city of the friends and athletes in Iranian mythical-epic recourses. Following the 20th century A.D., some of the experts on Iranian Cultures and civilization and along them, some of the Iranian myth researchers have put forward the theory that Afrasyab is the symbol for Apoush, the devil of drought, and also the equivalent and symbol for dragon and, recognized his first and mythical nature as a non-human creature and fiend. Although the devil or dragon or devil-like nature of Afrasyab is not explicitly expressed in any existing recourses, more probes into Shahnameh will reveal some more signs ; like calling him as ill-generated in Shahnameh, creating famine and removing the rain and water and aggression to Iran, the ability to live in land and in the depth of water (amphibian), his life in the basement, relation with black color, Afrasyab charming, the irrelativeness nature of his close relatives, similarity and ties with devil and fiends, verifying this theory.
It is documented in this study, through explaining the sings mentioned and presenting the required example from Shahnameh and other recourses, that Afrasyab in the ancient myths and very ancient patterns, is a very fearful and satanic devil, dragon converted to the Shah’s committee- the Torani athlete and Then Turk athlete and historical existance but, some other testimonies from the mythical and first nature are left by him in Shahnameh and some other resources.
Volume 1, Issue 3 (9-2012)
Abstract
The Russian wheat aphid (RWA), Diuraphis noxia has been known as a major pest of small grains, particularly wheat, worldwide. This study evaluated the biological responses of RWA to six wheat cultivars including Yavarus, Pishgam, Aadl, Omid, Darab 2 and Sepahan. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions of 25 ± 2 °C, 55 ± 10 % R. H. and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L: D) h. Resistance or susceptibility of cultivares against the aphid nymphal development time, adult fecundity, daily reproduction, total longevity and adult longevity were investigated. The ANOVA of the data indicated that there were significant differences (P < 0.05) among cultivars regarding duration of nymphal development time, fecundity and daily reproduction. The longest mean nymphal development time was obtained on Omid and Sepahan, and the shortest on Yavarus. The highest and the lowest total fecundity were observed on Yavarus and Omid, respectively. Also, the highest and the lowest mean offspring produced per female per day (daily reproduction) was observed on Yavarus and Omid, respectively. On the whole, Yavarus appeared to be susceptible to the Russian wheat aphid while Omid was resistant.
Volume 2, Issue 1 (9-2011)
Abstract
Abstract:
In recent years, extension of Artemia applications in aquaculture and decreasing of natural resource, lead many of related studies to the distribution of Artemia population and new resource assessment studies. Urmia Lake as one the biggest habitat for Artemia because of ecological variations in the regions in which of its differentiations in cyst biometry and Artemia, moreover some genetic variations suggested to have some several Artemia populations in the Lake. In this project Artemia cyst samples were collected from 5 ecological stations of the Lake Urmia. The cyst hatching and the nauplii breeding up to adult Artemia stage were done according to optimum conditions in laboratory. Growth rate and survival of larva in days of 3, 5, 7, 11, 15, 20 of rearing period were measured in feeding with a complex of Dunaliella tertiolecta and Lanzy PZ for a period of 20 days in 75 and 150 ppt. Data and its statistical analysis revealed that according to previously records the growth rate of the Artemia was influenced by increasing the salinity from 75 to 150 ppt survival and growth rate of Artemia have been influenced by water salinity (P<0.05) but increasing the salinity only in two population of Bari and Eslami led decreasing of survival. The produced cysts in two salinity showed that Artemia population can produce the cysts with different diameter and there were not any statistic correlations between the salinity and populations. The Dandrogarm of population statistic analysis emphasized that according to growth rate and survival parameters and among populations under this test there were 4 different populations of Artemia urmiana in which had interesting differentiations in growth rate and survival.
Keywords: Artemia, Survival, Growth rate, Salinity, Urmia Lake.
Volume 2, Issue 2 (6-2013)
Abstract
Life table of almond moth, Cadra cautella Walker was studied on four main dry and semi-dry date palm varieties (Deyri, Zahedi, Piarom, and Rabbi) of Iran under laboratory conditions. Data were analyzed based on the age-stage, two-sex life table theory. Duration of total preadult stages was 42.54, 45.79, 51.48 and 50.41 days on Deyri, Zahedi, Piarom, and Rabbi, respectively. The highest fecundity of female almond moth on date palm varieties was 245.29 eggs on Zahedi. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) on different varieties of date palm ranged from 0.069 d-1 (on Piarom) to 0.105 d-1 (on Deyri). The highest net reproductive rate (R0) was on Deyri (95.81 offspring) and the lowest value was on Rabbi variety (42.37 offspring). Our results showed that the highest rm, the largest fecundity and the shortest generation time of almond moth were observed on Deyri variety. It was concluded that among date palm varieties, Deyri was the most favorable host plant for almond moth reproduction performance.
Volume 2, Issue 3 (Number 3 - 2000)
Abstract
Toxic effects of malathion and endosulfan to fertile chicken eggs were determined. In-jection of 1.25, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/egg of malathion into yolk sac of fertile eggs prior to incubation caused mortality of 10.0, 30.0, 83.33 and 93.33% respectively. Similar trend was observed with injection of endosulfan doses. Malathion and endosulfan at 1.25 mg/egg caused no pronounced LD50 increase in mortality as compared to control groups. The LD50 values for these insecticides proved malathion to be more toxic than endosulf- an. The hypothesis that the dose response of viable embryo fitted a linear regression line was statistically acceptable. Combination of malathion and endosulfan increased the mor-tality rate as compared with either one alone. With either compound, an increased dose generally resulted in a decrease in embryonic body weight.
Volume 2, Issue 4 (Number 4 - 2000)
Abstract
In a greenhouse experiment, the effects of Glomus intraradices and indigenous mycorrhizal
isolates from soils under plow and no-till treatments on the uptake of 32P placed
at 1, 2.5 and 4 cm from the roots of white clover (Trifolium repens) in 23, 37 or 46 days after
planting were compared.Spores of the indigenous fungi were mostly a mixture of
Glomus mossea, G. clarum, G. caledonium and G. claroideum . The colonization of the
roots with regard to hyphae, vesicle or arbuscules was significantly different among fungi.
Uptake of 32P from different distances from the roots was strongly dependent on the mycorrhizal
isolate used and the plant-symbiont age. Indigenous fungi were more effective in
translocating 32P from short distances compared with G. intraradices as measured in the
plants. At the age of 46 days, for example, fungi from no-till and plowed plots transported
8-10 times more 32P to the plants as compared with G. intraradices, when32P was placed at
1-cm distance from the roots. These differences, however, disappeared when 32P was
placed at 2.5 or 4 cm from the roots. As the plant-symbiont grew older, relatively more
32P was translocated to the tops and the differences between fungi in this respect became
more pronounced. In 21-, 37- and 46-day-old plants, for example, and when 32P was
placed 1 cm from the root surface, 18, 21 and 56%, respectively, of the absorbed 32P was
translocated to the tops in plants inoculated with fungi from plowed fields. Progressively
lesser amounts of total absorbed 32P were translocated to the tops as 32P was placed farther
away from the roots. For example in 46 days after planting 51, 30 and 11% of total
absorbed 32P was translocated to the tops when 32P was placed at 1, 2.5 and 4 cm from the
roots, respectively, white clovers being inoculated with fungi from no-till soil. It is concluded
that the native mycorrhizal fungi , after a long period of different tillage practices,
may have different effects on the partitioning of absorbed phosphorus within white clover.
Volume 3, Issue 1 (11-2012)
Abstract
Abstract-Brain shrimp Artemia can tolerate different range of ecologic conditions. This animal is also known because of high nutrition value and special application in research. The species of Artemia franciscana found endemically on American continent, but recently it has been reported from Mahalru Lake, Iran. Due to differences between ecological conditions of Maharlu Lake with originally habitat of A. franciscana, Great Salt Lake, and taking to account the 10 years successful existence of this species in the lake, be believe that this species has adapted to new environment genetically. Given the fact that any kind of adaption can endanger endemic Maharlu parthenogenetic Artemia, in present study genetically differentiation between two populations of A. franciscana, before and after migration to new environment was studied. The study was conducted on structure of two important genes as COI and HSP26 using RCP-RFLP method. Successful digestion of the 700bp fragment of COI gene by two endonucleases enzymes, TaqI and EcoRI in addition to the digestion of 217bp fragment by Eco471 revealed genetic variation between two populations. The 7 generated specific haplotypes genetic distance of D=0.18 between the populations. According to the results and also successful residence of A. franciscana in Maharlu Lake, given the fact of high production performance of A. franciscana it is believed that the settler Artemia can be account as Iranian Artemia populations which will threaten existence of endemic parthenogenetic Artemia population in the lake.
Volume 3, Issue 1 (3-2014)
Abstract
Black stem is one of the most important fungal diseases of sunflower which is caused by Phoma macdonaldii. This research was conducted to clarify the interactions between a few breeder lines and wild-type accessions of sunflower with seven isolates of Phoma macdonaldii, the causal agent, under controlled conditions. The experiment was carried out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Each replication consisted of 30 seedlings. Twenty micro liters of spore suspension was deposited at the intersection of the cotyledon petiole and hypocotyl of four-leaf-stage sunflower seedlings as well. Three, five and seven days after inoculation, seedlings were scored on a 1-9 scale for percentage of necrotic area. Highly significant differences were observed among genotypes, isolates and their interactions for disease severity 7 days after inoculation based on AUDPC (Area Under Disease Progress Curve) values. Two models of GGE biplot including Isolate-based and genotype-based models were used to study the pathogenicity of the isolates and susceptibility of sunflower, respectively. Isolate-focused biplot revealed that there was a considerable difference between virulence of isolates. Based on genotype-focused biplot model, accessions including 665 Iowa, 1012 Nebraska, 211 Illinois and 1016 Nebraska were more resistant to studied isolates of P. macdnaldii. Results revealed that GGE biplot approach could lead to good understanding about interactions between sunflower genotypes and Phoma macdonaldii isolates.
Volume 3, Issue 2 (6-2014)
Abstract
Among the recently collected chalcidoid wasps in a rice field of eastern Guilan province (coast of Caspian Sea), in July 2012, there was a specimen of Pteromalidae belonging to the genus Callitula. It was identified as Callitula ferrierei (Bouček, 1964). Both genus and species are new record for Iranian fauna. Morphological characters and geographical distribution of the newly recorded species are given.
Volume 3, Issue 3 (9-2014)
Abstract
Edaphic mites of the order Mesostigmata have important effects in soil ecosystems and food chains.In order to study the fauna of Laelapidae (Mesostigmata), soil samples were collected from different parts of Shahreza vicinity in Esfahan province, Iran, during 2010-2012. Among collected species a new species of Gaeolaelaps has been collected from soil and litter and described based on adult female specimens. Some morphological characters of G. jondishapouri Nemati & Kavianpour were discussed in this paper. A key to Gaeolaelaps species of Iran is provided.
Volume 3, Issue 4 (2-2015)
Abstract
In recent years the use of rotifers as live food for rearing fish larvae and crustacean is very important. Growth and density is considered as an important factor in the production of rotifers. In this study, the effect of three different concentrations (1.5×106, 3×106, 4.5×106 cell/ml-1) of green algae, Tetraselmis Suecica, on growth, reproduction, body and egg size of marine rotifer, Brachionus plicatilis were investigated. Rotifers were cultured in standard conditions in 500 ml plastic containers. The initial density of rotifers in different treatments was 30 ind/ml. Based on the results, the highest density (331/67 ± 13/32) were showed in high concentration, which were significantly (P <0/05) higher than the other two treatments. Specific growth rate at concentrations of 3×106 cell/ml-1and 4.5×106 cell/ml-1 were significantly greater than concentrations of 1.5×106 cell/ml-1 of green algae (P<0.05). However, no significant differences were observed between the two treatments, medium and high. The maximum number of eggs and egg-bearing females were observed in the fourth and seventh days. Mean body size (lorica area) and egg size (bio-volume) in rotifers fed with high concentrations (4.5×106cell/ml-1) significantly greater than the mean body size of rotifers fed with medium (3×106 cell/ml-1) and low (1.5×106 cell/ml-1 ) concentrations while no significant differences were observed between low and medium treatments(P>0.05). The present study showed that the concentration of algae Tetraselmis suecica might be used in marine rotifer breeding and changing various concentrations, can produce various sizes of rotifers.
Volume 3, Issue 4 (12-2015)
Abstract
Soil alkalinity and salinity are serious problems in arid and semi-arid regions, and therefore monitoring of soil pH and electrical conductivity (EC) is necessary in any region. The present study aimed to properly interpolate soil pH and EC as soil quality indices in a semi-arid mountainous area with annual precipitation of 342.4 mm. The study area is the Karimabad rangelands in Hamadan Province, western Iran. A total of 266 composite soil samples were collected from 0-25 cm soil depth in a systematic random design. Soil samples were processed for pH and EC analysis and then further used for interpolating based on the optimal interpolation method for the study area. The overall soil pH and EC ranged from 7.3-7.9 and 0.33-2.13 dS m-1, respectively, presenting the slightly alkalinity and salinity problem in the region. The results showed the accuracy of spatial prediction of interpolation methods, particularly inverse distance weighting and radius basis function. However, based on root mean square error, the radius basis function was the most appropriate interpolation method to predict spatial distribution of soil pH and EC of topsoil in the study area. While salinity and alkalinity were low, still monitoring these soil indices is highly recommended to prevent the salinization and alkalization in the study area.