Showing 332 results for Safa
Volume 0, Issue 0 (Articles accepted for Publication 2024)
Abstract
Aim and Introduction
In most world economies, governments have been proposed as a complementary institution and are bound to interfere in the economy. The degree of government involvement in any economy depends on the political and economic system in that country. One of the government's intervention tools is subsidy payments considered as financial aids aiming at transferring government resources to buyers and sellers. Therefore, one of the most well-known ways of transferring income to vulnerable groups is subsidy payment. This tool has a long history in different economies. In general, subsidies can be divided into four categories: a) based on the government's goals, which include economic subsidies, development subsidies, social subsidies, political subsidies, and cultural subsidies; b) Based on the stages of the goods, which include consumption subsidies, production subsidies, distribution subsidies, service subsidies, export subsidies, and import reduction subsidies and currency savings; c) Based on the classification of the subsidy itself, which includes direct subsidy and indirect subsidy; and d) based on the reflection of its costs, which includes hidden subsidies and open subsidies. Also, regarding the methods of applying subsidies, it should be noted that subsidies in the consumption sector are mainly paid in cash, goods, general prices and coupons. On the other hand, the payment of subsidy will disrupt the price system and lead to deviation in production and investment.
Since governments dependent heavily on oil revenues usually seek to pay subsidies in general, they normally encounter many problems including waste of resources, increase in consumption, smuggling, lack of efficient allocation of resources and reduction of efficiency in the economy. This happens because the price of subsidized goods is not realistic. For this purpose, Iran and other developing economies are seeking to apply the policy of targeting subsidies. One of the results of policies targeting subsidies is the realization of prices, which will improve the performance of producers and choose an optimal production process.
Since targeting subsidies has significant effects on the relative advantage of manufactured goods and subsequent sustainable growth and development, therefore, it is crucially important and essential to investigate the effects of this policy on the business model.
A review of the experimental studies conducted inside the country indicates that the effect of reducing (eliminating) the subsidy of basic goods (Sections 25-22 in the software package of the Global Trade Analysis Project) on the trade pattern has not been investigated so far.
In this regard, the aim of the current research is to investigate the effects of reducing (eliminating) subsidies for basic goods (sections 22-25 in the software package of the Global Trade Analysis Project) on Iran's trade using the GTAP model.
Methodology
The Global Trade Analysis Project model is one of the types of Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) models, the software related to it (GEMPACK, RunGTAP) and the database are provided to the researchers by its designers.
In the current research, the data has been gathered in the form of four sectors (dairy, rice, sugar and other foods) and two regions (Iran and other parts of the world) and the analysis has been done in two scenarios which are designed as follows:
1) 50% reduction in the subsidy paid to the firm's consumption-domestic goods.
2) 100% reduction in the subsidy paid to the firm's consumption-domestic goods.
Findings
The results showed that in both scenarios, the economic welfare of Iran and the rest of the world decreased and increased, respectively, and the intensity of these changes is greater in the second scenario (removal of basic commodity subsidies). The share of resource allocation efficiency and term of trade and savings-investment relationship in reducing economic welfare is higher in the second scenario. The highest decrease in economic welfare in the first and second scenario is related to sector 25 and the lowest decrease in economic well-being in both scenarios is related to sector 22.
Reducing the subsidy paid on the firm's consumption-domestic goods in these sectors will increase the export of these goods. The most positive changes in Iran's trade balance in the first scenario (50% reduction in subsidies) are related to sector 25 and equal to 48.4 million dollars, and the most negative trade balance of Iran in the second scenario (complete elimination of subsidies) is related to sector 25 and equal to 7.96 has been negative. In total, the reduction of subsidies for basic goods simultaneously in all 4 sectors has led to positive changes in Iran's trade balance.
Discussion and Conclusion
According to the economic results of this research, it is recommended to gradually remove the subsidy paid to the firm's consumption domestic goods so that, while having a positive effect on the changes in Iran's trade balance, the economic welfare does not face a large and one-time decline
Volume 1, Issue 1 (3-2013)
Abstract
Prangos ferulacea (L.) Lindl. (Umbelliferae family) is a dominant species in the some partial of habitats in Zagros Mountains. According to ethno-botanical studies, this plant is one of the best range plants of Iran. Local ranchers collect green Prangos while it is toxic. They then dry the plant and use it to feed their livestock, especially in winter season. This research done to analyse the changes in the chemical composition of Pr. ferulacea with the effects of time, location and type of secondary metabolisms. Therefore, the ingredients and amounts of the essential oils of Prangos were studied during the growing and flowering stages (in both green/fresh and dried forms) to track such changes. The results showed that the amounts of terpinolene, β-phellandrene and bornyl acetate were decreased in the dried form, and some of the harmful components, such as α-pinene, β-pinene, myrcen and delta-3-carene, were absent, rendering the plant non-toxic. These results confirm the opinion of the ranchers. In the growing stage, the amount of coumarin was significantly less than in the flowering stage, which also supports the conduct of the local ranchers who gather the plants at the most appropriate time.
Volume 1, Issue 1 (spring 2020)
Abstract
The item of livability is one of the closest concepts to the quality of life that through it an ideal environmental society can be estimated. Therefore, any increasing or decreasing in the amount of livability is a means to evaluate staying inhabitants in the neighborhoods, regions, and cities. Also, it is a measurement for estimating the quality of life. While the city is developing, at the same time, all its traditional, new and periphery neighborhoods are facing to variety of physical, cultural, etc changes. So, due to existence of some challenging issues and necessity of livability to inhabitants, this needs to be assessed. In this study, three different neighborhoods including Haji, Etemadieh, and Mazdaghineh are investigated. It is interesting that all of them situated in 2 region municipality in Hamedan. There would be four components including physical-spatial, social-cultural, economic, and environmental items. The analytical-comparative methodology is used and in order to data analyzing and final evaluations, SPSS 19 and Expert Choice 10 technique is implemented and finally AHP method is used. To gather data observing, completion questionaires by residetial neighborhood and interviews with experts are used. Final results exhibited that the amount of livability in the neighborhood of Etemadieh is the most, nearly 0.431 points, and Haji and Mazdaghineh respectively are the second and the third livability neighborhoods with 0.322 and 0.246 points. The physical and economic components in Haji neighborhood are more favorable than other neighborhoods, but the social component in Mazdaqineh neighborhood is superior to the other two neighborhoods. The Etemadiyeh neighborhood is also a priority in the environmental component over other neighborhoods.
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 ((Articles in Persian) 2010)
Abstract
Volume 1, Issue 2 (6-2016)
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of disability and pain intensity among two groups of governmental employees and sellers who suffering from chronic low back pain.
Material and Methods: This descriptive–analytic study was performed from Dec 2015 to Mar 2016among employed staff members of education ministry (N = 50) and 40 sellers with chronic low back pain who were selected through non-random sampling method. The research tool was Oswetry inventory to inspect the pain intensity and level of disability of the participants. Statistical descriptive/analytic method was used to analyze data through SPSS V16.
Results: Totally, 90 participants included 50 employees with an average age of 45.14 ± .85 years and 40 sellers with an average age of 45.42 ± 0.98 years took part in this study. The variables as age, weight, height were the same in the two groups (P > 0.05). There were significant difference between the two groups in terms of BMI2.01 (3.42-.59), pain: 0.55 (0.18-0.92), lifting disability: 0.77 (0.28 to 1.25), walking 1.03 (0.56 to 1.49), sleeping-0.26 (-0.51 -0.002), sexuality 2.07 (1.32 to 2.82), social life. 0.43 (-0.82 -. 03), mean total score of functional disability in performing activities 4.35 (1.93 to 6.77) which were better in the employed group rather than the other group.
Conclusion: This study showed the functional disability and related effective factors were different between employees and sellers. Therefore, categorizing individuals who suffering from back pain into homogeneous groups and investigating the effective factors of disability in each group of people are recommended.
Volume 1, Issue 3 (9-2012)
Abstract
The dry bubble disease, caused by Lecanicillium fungicola, is an important fungal disease of white button mushroom in Iranian mushroom production farms. Twenty-three isolates of the pathogen collected in Iran and identified as L. fungicola var. fungicola, were compared for genetic polymorphism, diversity in growth rate and virulence. Ten Universal Rice Primers (URP) were used to evaluate the genetic diversity of L. fungicola var. fungicola. URP analysis showed that the genetic diversity of Iranian isolates was low (average 10 % over the 10 primers used) and that they were almost clonal. Relative correlations between geographical origins of isolates and molecular grouping were observed but there was no correlation between mycelial growth rate, virulence assays and URP patterns. Significant differences were observed between isolates based on mycelial growth rate and virulence assays. The high level of genetic homogeneity is attributed to the effect of fungicides used for control of the mushroom diseases which might have imposed a significant selection pressure on the fungal populations.
Volume 1, Issue 3 (9-2012)
Abstract
Beet western yellows virus (BWYV), a species of the genus Polerovirus in the family Luteoviridae, is an agriculturally important virus infecting over 150 plant species in 23 dicotyledonous families worldwide. A survey of BWYV in canola fields in Golestan and Tehran provinces of Iran using indirect triple antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (TAS-ELISA) indicated 8.3 % infection. The presence of BWYV was confirmed by amplification of the coat protein (CP) gene of the virus via running a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on total RNA extracted from ELISA positive leaf tissues. DNA sequences of the BWYV coat protein (CP) gene of seven Iranian isolates were determined and compared at the nucleotide (nt) and amino acid (aa) levels with those of twelve BWYV isolates from different countries deposited in GenBank. Sequence analysis data showed that the identity of BWYV-CP at nt and aa levels among the Iranian isolates were 93.4 % to 100 % and 93.2 % to 100 %, respectively. The maximum similarity of isolates at nt and aa levels were 97.2 and 96.6 %, which occurred among two Iranian isolates (Ir 8 and Ir 100) and four isolates from France (L39967 and X13063) and England (L39973 and L39970). The recombination analysis among the nineteen isolates including seven Iranian isolates revealed that there was no distinct intra-specific recombination event among BWYV isolates. This is the first report of sequencing and analyzing of the BWYV CP gene of Iranian BWYV isolates.
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 1, Issue 3 (Fall 2020)
Abstract
The necessity of coordinated facades especially in city centers plays an important role in the image of the cities. Setting up a reliable framework is crucial to ensure that this coordination is maintained. However, due to the lack of tools for implementing that framework the roles and regulations in this context remain only written.
The review of complied foreign documents shows that there is an intensive tool that leads to implementing façade design instructions. This tool which is called the ‘Improvement Façade Program’ has been employed in many cities across the world.
This paper aims to propound tools for implementing design instructions specified in the façade context. It is noteworthy that the main purpose of this paper is being familiar with one of the intensive tools for improving façade and applying this tool in Iran requires localization with specific conditions and regulations inside the country.
Volume 1, Issue 4 (12-2012)
Abstract
Race-specific resistance of wheat to yellow rust caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici has been reported as short-lived. Partial resistance, a kind of quantitative resistance, has been reported to be more stable. Partial resistance in terms of slow rusting parameters including final rust severity (FRS), apparent infection rate (r), relative area under disease progress curve (rAUDPC), and coefficient of infection (CI) was evaluated in a set of twenty six wheat genotypes along with susceptible control during 2010-2011 cropping year. This study was conducted in field plots at Ardabil Agricultural Research Station (Iran) under natural infection conditions with twice artificial inoculation. Artificial inoculation was carried out by yellow rust inoculum having virulence against Yr2, Yr6, Yr7, Yr9, Yr22, Yr23, Yr24, Yr25, Yr26, Yr27, YrA, and YrSU. Seedling reaction was also evaluated in greenhouse by using race 66E0A+, Yr27+. Results of mean comparison for resistance parameters showed that, lines C-89-4, C-89-17 and C-89-16 along with susceptible had the highest values of FRS, CI, r and rAUDPC, therefore were selected as moderately susceptible or susceptible lines. The lines C-89-7, C-89-8, C-89-9, C-89-10, C-89-13, C-89-14 and C-89-20 had susceptible reactions at seedling stage and low level infection at adult plant stage. Accordingly these lines with low level of different parameters supposed to be having gene/s for varying degrees of partial resistance or high temperature adult plant resistance (HTAP) that can be used for future manipulation in wheat improvement program after confirmatory studies. The remaining lines (except for C-89-2) were immune or had low level of infection. Thus, these were selected as resistant lines. In this study correlation coefficient between different parameters of slow rusting was highly significant. Based on the results, the reaction of the studied genotypes to stripe rust varied from sensitive to immune.
Volume 1, Issue 4 (12-2012)
Abstract
Mycosphaerella graminicola, the causal agent of septoria tritici blotch (STB), is a widespread and significant pathogen of wheat. To determine mating types, 89 isolates were collected randomly from wheat fields of Khuzestan, East Azerbaijan, Ardebil, Kermanshah and Golestan provinces of Iran, during 2006-7. DNA was extracted based on standard protocols. Multiplex PCR was conducted using two pairs of mating type-specific primers for MAT1-1 and MAT1-2. Sensitivity to strobilurin fungicide was determined using strobSNPrc7 and strobSNPrc1 primers. The results showed that in 35 isolates, a fragment of 340 bp amplified with MAT1-1 idiomorph specific primers and in 54 isolates a fragment of 660 bp was amplified with MAT1-2 idiomorph specific primers. While the mating type frequencies were highly unequal, the MAT1-1 was predominant. All isolates were sensitive to strobilurin and amplified a fragment of 639 bp. It is concluded that both mating types are present in Iran, although with different frequencies, which may affect genetic variation through sexual cycle. Meanwhile the studied isolates were not resistant to strobilurin fungicides which may be due to growing wheat cultivars resistant to STB rather than using strobilurin fungicides as a dominant control method.
Volume 1, Issue 4 (10-2016)
Abstract
Background: Sport and exercise therapy can be used for low back pain's prevention. This research was aimed to evaluate the level of functional disability, pain intensity difference between the two groups of patients with chronic low back pain.
Methods: this study was a cross-sectional-applied research conducted from December 2015 to March 2016 on the employed (N = 50) and nonemployee people (N = 40) suffering from chronic low back. Physical activity level and demographic properties in all subjects were measured by Baecke physical activity questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16.
Results: Totally, two groups employees (N = 50) with an average age of 45.14 ± 0.85 years old and the non-employee (N = 40) people with an average age of 45.42 ± 0.98 years old took part in the study. No significant differences was observed between both groups on such variables as age, weight, height (P > .05). Significant difference was observed between the mean body mass indexes between two groups so that among the employed group was more than the non-employed (p < .05). Significant difference was observed about the physical activity (p < .05) and exercise (p < .05) between two mentioned groups in free time.
Conclusion: This study revealed the different groups of people who have different jobs may be different due to physical activity.
Volume 2, Issue 1 (6-2013)
Abstract
Fish fauna at three stations along the Gamasiab River, Kermanshah Province, were investigated for 9 months. Samples were caught using electroshocker and cast net of 1.5 cm mesh size and had their 20 morphometric and 10 meristic characteristics recorded. Twenty three species and subspecies in 14 genera and 5 families were identified, including: minnows (Cyprinidae), sisorid catfishes (Sisoridae), bagrid catfishes (Bagridae), river loaches (Balitoridae) and spiny eels (Mastacembelidae). The highest number of species (18, 78.3%) and genera (10, 71.4%) belonged to Cyprinidae, while 2 species (8.7%) in 1 genus (7.1%) belonged to Balitoridae; the other three families each contained 1 genus and 1 species (4.3%). The lowest species diversity (9 species) was observed in upstream station while the highest diversity (16 species) was in downstream station. Among the identified fish, only Pseudorasbora parva was recognized as exotic and the others were native.
Volume 2, Issue 1 (7-2021)
Abstract
Introduction:
Cities, as the main areas of human life, consist of components and elements such as open and public spaces. Today, advances in digital technology in various fields, including public spaces, have had a tremendous impact.
Aim:
The purpose of this study is to address the impact and effects that cyberspace has on public spaces and their presence.
Materials and Method:
Based on its objectives, the research is fundamental and is in the category of descriptive and explanatory-analytical studies. After reviewing the basics related to smart city and public spaces by referring to valid documents and texts, the impact of cyberspace on urban public spaces has been considered and according to the criteria of presence in space, 100 questionnaires of Tehran citizens have been completed and analyzed.
Findings:
Findings show that most people use cyberspace as a stimulus and tool to be in public and not as a competitor to not be in public. However, this trajectory in Iran is close to the average because some people (older or with special characteristics) still use cyberspace and the mentioned technologies in a more limited way.
Results:
The results show that cyberspace serves citizens as a stimulus to increase their presence in public spaces. Therefore, it is necessary for urban planners to try to improve services and use cyberspace and technology as a tool to facilitate the presence in cyberspace.
Volume 2, Issue 2 (6-2013)
Abstract
Soybean, Glycine max, is susceptible to a large number of disease agents such as seedling and root pathogens that cause serious damages to this crop plant. One of these soil-borne pathogens is Macrophomina phaseolina, the causal agent of charcoal root rot. In this study, two bacteria, Pantoea agglomerans and Bacillus sp. BIN, and a fungus, Trichoderma harzianum T100, as potential biocontrol agents, and maneb fungicide, were evaluated against soybean charcoal rot disease in In Vitro and greenhouse conditions. All antagonists inhibited growth of the pathogen in dual culture test by 73.8, 63.3 and 55.3 %, respectively. Data from greenhouse experiments showed that in the presence of pathogen all antagonists increased the growth indices of soybean in both pasteurized and non-pasteurized soil. Reductions of microsclerotia coverage on soybean root and stem by P. agglomerans, Bacillus sp. and T. harzianum were up to 62.5, 87.6 and 62.5 %, respectively and for maneb fungicide was 87.6 % in pasteurized soil. The overall results of this study show high capability of used antagonists in reduction of initial inoculums for next season of this monocyclic disease.
Volume 2, Issue 2 (6-2013)
Abstract
Sclerotinia stem rot (SSR), caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is one of the most important diseases of canola (Brassica napus) in Golestan province, the leading canola producer in Iran. In order to assess the yield loss of canola caused by SSR, 80 fields were surveyed in four different regions of the province (Gorgan, Ali Abad, Kalaleh and Gonbad) during 2006-2007, and SSR intensity was recorded weekly in the fields. Study of yield loss-SSR severity relationships by linear, nonlinear and multiple regression analyses with final intensity (Sf), time to initial symptoms (tis), Gompertz rate of disease progress (rG), and standardized area under disease progress curve (SAUDPC) as independent variables indicate that single point and integral models were significant (P < 0.05) only in three cases. Results of multiple point models which were performed using weekly recorded SSR intensities (S1, S2, …), were significant in two cases and a general model for 2007 survey was developed using S3 to S6. Eventually, response surface models were developed for each region by integrating tis with SSR intensity variables (Sf or SAUDPC).
Volume 2, Issue 3 (9-2013)
Abstract
One of the important technical obstacles in the study of many filamentous fungi is the development of efficient transformation system. Transformation of filamentous fungi is difficult because they have a cell wall and for most frequently used approaches preparing of protoplast is necessary. Protoplast preparation is batch-dependent and often frustrating work. In this study, a modified method was introduced for gene transfer to the plant pathogenic fungus, Fusarium graminearum, the major causal agent of Fusarium Head Blight disease in small grains. This protocol was based on protoplast-PEG method. Age of mycelia, enzymes exposure time and mycelium/enzyme ratio were optimized for the purpose of protoplast preparation. The outcome showed that the best result for protoplast preparation was obtained when 1.5 × 105 spores were let germinate for 6 h then exposed to 10 ml of enzyme solution for 3 h. The effect of other parameters that might enhance transformation yields including PEG concentration, DNA quantity and number of protoplasts was also examined. The most efficient condition for transformation involved the use of 106 protoplasts, 20 µg DNA and 30% PEG (w/v). In the course of this study, a simple and appropriate modified protocol for transformation of F. graminearum was established. The method introduced is also more economical and faster than other current methods.
Volume 2, Issue 4 (12-2013)
Abstract
Rice blast, caused by Pyricularia grisea, is one of the most important diseases of this crop in Iran and all over the world. To evaluate the relationship between spore population (SP) and meteorological factors, SP was measured daily using spore trap during growing seasons of 2006-2008 in Rasht and Lahijan regions (Guilan province, Iran). Weather data including precipitation, daily maximum and minimum temperatures, daily maximum and minimum relative humidity and duration of sunny hours were obtained from weather stations which were five kilometers away from the fields. The relationship between spore population and metrological factors was evaluated by Neurosolution 5.0 software. Weather data and spore population were considered as input and output data, respectively. In this study, multilayer perceptron neural network, regression model and Log(x + 1) transformation were performed. To evaluate the model efficiency, correlation coefficient and mean square error were used. The results showed that the correlation coefficient (r) and mean square error (MSE) parameters were 0.55 and 0.03 in Rasht and 0.1 and 0.03 in Lahijan, respectively. The results also showed the potential of this model for modeling SP using meteorological factors; however more data is needed for validation of this model. There has been no previous report on modeling the relationship between SP and meteorological data using artificial neural network in Guilan province (Iran).
Volume 2, Issue 4 (12-2016)
Abstract
Braconidae (Hymenoptera) communities at high altitudes in alfalfa fields of Kerman province (Iran) were analyzed. The communities were sampled by sweep netting in 2014 and 2015. Samples were taken from three altitudinal transects: 1900–2300 m, 2400–2700 m and 2800–3100 m. A total of 1773 braconid specimens belonging to seven subfamilies were collected. Alpha, beta and gamma diversities were analyzed. The samples from 1900–2300 m and from2400–2700 m showed similar diversity, but from 2800-3100 m had the highest number of specimens and differed considerably in diversity.