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To determine ancient seed species, 3250-3450 year-old charred seeds obtained from different Iranian archaeological sites were studied using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and molecular analysis. SEM analysis of ancient seeds revealed that the surface of the seeds was damaged. Therefore, we could not accurately identify their species. Molecular analysis on ancient specimens was done on different samples obtained from Masjede Kabood (Tabriz), Tepe Rahmat Abad (Pasargad) and Tepe Sagz Abad (Qazvin plain). The specific primer pairs were designed based on a part of the promoter region of the High Molecular Weight (HMW) glutenin gene and a short fragment of the vrs1 gene were verified on samples of modern wheat and barley varieties, respectively. The designated primers failed to amplify ancient DNAs (aDNAs) obtained from Masjede Kabood and Tepe Rahmat Abad, but successfully amplified the aDNA obtained from Tepe Sagz Abad. This finding was expected since the latter seeds had a better morphological preservation in comparison to the former ones. The accuracy of the amplified products was further proved by cloning and sequencing.

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The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ten different sugar beet genotypes on nutritional indices of the beet army worm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lep.: Noctuidae) at 25±1°C, 60±5% RH and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L: D) hour. The sugar beets evaluated in this study included two sugar beet cultivars (HM 1339 RZ and SBSI006), five populations (SB26, SB27, SB29, SB33, SB34), one hybrid (7112*SB36)*Sh-1-HSF-5 and two lines (FC 301 and FC 220). Fourth instar larvae reared on (7112*SB36)*Sh-1-HSF-5 showed the highest Relative Growth Rate (RGR) of 0.31 mg mg^-1 day^-1, Relative Consumption Rate (RCR) of 4.79 mg mg^-1 day^-1 and Approximate Digestibility (AD) value of 94.35% compared with the other host plants. The lowest value of RCR (0.81 mg mg^-1 day^-1) was on SBSI006. The Efficiency of Conversion of Ingested food (ECI) was varied from 1.80% on FC 220 to 9.14% on SB34. The highest AD value of fifth instar (92.63%) wason (7112*SB36)*Sh-1-HSF-5 and the lowest value of this index was recorded on SB27 (83.71%). The highest AD value of whole larval instars was noted in (7112*SB36)*Sh-1-HSF-5 (93.73%). The lowest value of RCR (1.78 mg mg^-1 day^-1) was found on SB27. The heaviest pre-pupa (81.01 mg), pupa (72.55 mg) and wet adults (19.14 mg) of beet armyworm were recorded on (7112*SB36)*Sh-1-HSF-5. The results indicated that (7112*SB36)*Sh-1-HSF-5 was the most suitable host for S. exigua that should be considered in cultivation or breeding programs.

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Recent statistics showed that larger number  of Iranian girls are being pushed to the state of absolute celibacy. This is in clear contrast with social, cultural and religious values in the country; therefore, it has made serious concerns for both policy makers and the public. The present study aimed to a) explore why do girls prefer to stay unmarried and what their perception and feeling is in regard to marriage and b) investigate the social adjustment of these girls as a significant facet of mental and social health. An open-ended questionnaire was used for the first aim and Bell Adjustment Inventory (Bell, 1962) was applied on 40 girls with absolute celibacy and 40 married  . The two groups were matched in demographic features and the  findings, which are all discussed in Iranina society along with its existed values, showed  that remaining  celibacy is an undesirable  status occurred mainly due to not finding and  the right person. The other contributing reasons leading to girls’ celibacy are their imaginary and sort of perfectionistic attitude about their future partner, family’s  arrangements and interferences, financial limitations and physical attractions.  The statistical results indicated that girls with absolute celibacy scored less in total adjustment score and two of the subscales of adjustment at home and social adjustment.
 

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