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In Khuzestan province of Iran, the number of traffic passes made by heavy farm machinery in sugarcane land preparation varies depending upon field conditions, ranging from a minimum of 10 to a maximum of 16 passes annually. To reduce energy, time and cost, it is imperative to use conservation tillage as well as controlled traffic systems. The objectives of this research were to develop, and evaluate a combined strip deep tillage machine equipped with a two-level deep tillage implement including a dual sideway-share and a winged subsoiler, cum with a set of discs. For optimizing the dual-sideway-share subsoiler, the effects of share rake angle (7.5 and 15°) and length (150 and 200 mm) on the implement field performance were examined. Also, to optimize the winged subsoiler, it was tested with its wing having different lengths (0, 200, 250, and 300 mm). Finally, the performance of the developed combined strip deep tillage machine was compared with a conventional subsoiler used for deep tillage in the fields. The results showed that the optimized combined strip deep tillage machine should be equipped with the dual sideway-share subsoiler having a share with a 7.5° rake angle and 150 mm length, and the winged subsoiler with 250 mm length for its wing. The results showed that the specific resistance of the developed machine as compared to the conventional subsoiler decreased by 34%. Therefore, the machine has higher efficiency and is an environmentally friendly implement for sustainable sugarcane production in southwest Iran.
 

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Ground skidding on skid trails affects the physical properties of soil. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in soil physical properties on skid trails formed due to traffic of metal-tracked skidders with regard to soil bulk density, total porosity, water content and penetration resistance. The studies were implemented on two levels of slope – <20% (SC1) and >20% (SC2) – and three levels of traffic (one, five and nine traffic cycles). The treatment plots with three replications, consequently, were 6 m long and 4 m wide. The measurement of soil penetration resistance was carried out using a cone penetrometer. The samples were taken from 10 cm of top soil at six points in each plot. The results indicated that the skidder traffic did not significantly affect the soil physical properties measured in three levels of traffic at SC1, whereas it was significant between one and five traffic cycles in SC2. Most of the changes in the measured properties in the skid trails occurred after the first loaded skidder traffic. Within all traffic of SC2, differences in the mean values of water content and soil porosity were greater compared with the mean values at the same traffic of SC1, although these differences were not significant. The bulk density and penetration resistance at five and nine traffics of SC2 were significantly different from the same traffic of SC1.

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Several models have been developed to estimate land degradation rate and evaluate desertification severity. This study attempts to apply the MEDALUS (Mediterranean Desertification and Land Use) model by considering existing conditions in the Hamoun wetland, located in south-eastern Iran. At first identification of the main factors affecting the desertification phenomenon was attempted, based on field survey. These factors include climate, soil, vegetation and management practices. Results showed that land management and extreme climate are the most important factors affecting the desertification process. In addition, in some land uses, lack of vegetation accelerates the prevalent wind intensity in the study area (known as “the 120Rozeh” (means 120 days and refers to the wind, with high speeds that blow from the North to the South during summer time) – the most famous Iranian winds) which continues its path without any barrier, and erodes the land surface. Results also indicated that the study area is mostly located in the critical desertification class. Based on the results, it is known that 14% of whole region (12,273 ha) is in the low-critical class, 48.2% (42,251 ha) in the medium-critical class, and 37.8% (33,134 ha) in the high-critical class.

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Striga hermonthica is a noxious, obligate hemi-parasite of cereal grasses that causes severe grain yield loss in susceptible maize cultivars in Africa. The development of host plant resistance is one of the most practical Stiga control strategies. In this study experiments on 36 maize inbred lines were conducted in pots and in field during the two rainy seasons of 2009 at Kibos and Alupe stations in Kenya. This study was carried out in order to determine the variation in Striga emergence, and the correlation between the attachments of the parasite to the roots. Significant differences (P < 0.001) were detected among the inbred lines for grain yield under Striga-free environment. The Striga damage rating (SDR) was significant (P < 0.05) among the inbred lines. A highly significant and negative correlation coefficient was observed between grain yield and Striga damage rating (r = - 0.67). Positive correlation coefficients were observed between grain yield and ear aspect (r = 0.46) and plant aspect (r = 0.75), respectively. For the experiment in pots, highly significant differences (P < 0.01) were observed among the inbred lines for Striga resistance traits. Striga attachments were found to be correlated with the number of emerged Striga plants. A significant correlation was found between Striga attachments and Striga counts in pots at the 10^th week after planting (WAP) (r = 0.25) and the 14^th WAP (r = 0.31). Inbred lines JI-30-19 and OSU231//56/44-6-4-17-3 were identified as the most resistant lines as they consistently performed well in both Striga-free and Striga-infested environments. These inbred lines could be used for breeding Striga-resistant maize varieties.  

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 Resistance literature is the most important cultural strongholds for nations under domination. This word has always been associated with anti oppression and evokes it. This genre of literature has got a long bachground in the history that because of ruling oppression in muslim countries from alien countries and also imposed wars, has got a special representation. Iran and Palestine are two prominent examples of this country. Saleh Mahmood Alhowariis one of the poets who pays special attention to Palestine. Also TaherehSafarzadeh,with his poetry has defended his nation confronting aliens, and we see manifestation of resistance in her poems. Pride and national identity and patriotism, challenge, hope for a better future, and invitation to solidarity are of the common themes in the poetry of both poets.This study intends to express the themes of resistance literature in poetry of both poets and compare these kind of themes in their poetry using library tool and descriptive-analytical method the American School of comparative literature.

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The discourse of the resistance of the Islamic Revolution, in addition to having a great impact on the political, social and cultural system of Iran, has been very influential beyond its borders and has been an inspiration for Muslim movements in different countries, including Nigeria. In the last few decades, Nigeria, as one of the important countries in Africa, has been the platform for the formation of the Islamic movement and the expansion of Shiism, and now the population of several million Shiites in Nigeria has turned this country into one of the centers of Shiism.Based on this, the present research has analyzed the impact of the discourse of Islamic revolution resistance on the Islamic movement in Nigeria by using the discourse theory of Lakla and Mofe and using explanatory-analytical method.The findings of the research showed that the discourse of resistance after the victory of the revolution, with the systematization of the Islamic discourse, from a discourse marginalized by the discourse of domination, has become an active discourse in the text of domestic and international policies, and with negation. The hegemony of the domination system and the lack of compromise with it has created a new articulation, which at the end of this articulation has defined a model of resistance against the domination system. This model of resistance, with an emphasis on political Islam, anti-arrogance and anti-Westernism,in addition to reviving the identity of Shiites in Nigeria, has also influenced the formation and expansion of the Islamic movement in this country.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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The influence of leaf pubescence of three wheat cultivars (Pishtaz, Ghuds and Falat) on preference and biological parameters of Sipha maydis (Passerini) was investigated under greenhouse conditions (25 ± 2 °C, 70 ± 10% RH and 14: 10 h (L: D) photoperiod). The results showed that Pishtaz had a greater density of trichomes compared to the other cultivars. In the preference test with whole plant, the number of aphids on Pishtaz was significantly greater than that on other cultivars at 48 hrs after infestation. Similarly, in the preference test on leaves, the numbers of attracted aphids per leaf was highest on Pishtaz. In the life table study, there was no significant difference of intrinsic rate of natural increase (r_m) among the three studied cultivars but it was highest on Pishtaz (0.187 /day). Aphids’ net reproductive rate, doubling time, mean generation time and finite rate of increases did not show significant differences between the tested cultivars. According to our results, leaf surface pubescence of wheat is not an effective resistance mechanism against S. maydis.

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Asbads are a type of windmill with vertical axis which are considered as the oldest windmills in the world. These mills have been constructed in pre-Islamic eras in Sistan and southern part of Khorasan. From a long time ago, Sistan has been considered as the Iran’s store of wheat. Climate and appropriate soil along with the water of big Hirmand River have provided an appropriate situation for agricultural farms and particularly for wheat. As said, Sistan had been known as a wheat store of Iran. 120-day wind of Sistan is a natural feature of Sistan region. In this region, in the second half of warm season, when wheat is being harvested, vigorous winds start to blow. All of these characteristics provide the situation for constructing the Asbads which are considered as a great innovative production. In this regard there are different evidences which show that the oldest windmills are built at the east of Iran and in Sistan area. Main building of Asbad includes a two-storey building in which upper storey is usually open-ended. Moreover half of the building which is subjected to the wind is constructed completely open and the other half is completely enclosed. The part which is behind the wind side is also entirely open. Asbads have had an important role in past people’s livelihood and also is a sample of combination of traditional architecture with the needs of ecology which is considered as eco-friendly energy. Regarding to the Asbads’ unique characteristic, functional and esthetics features, recognizing them is of special importance. The concern in this research is to know how many groups traditional windmills or Asbads in Sistan are divided to, where they spread in Iran and what are the different types of them? More of the Asbads of Iran have been located in east and south-east of Iran where valuable winds blow during the whole year. Different types of 120-day winds blow in north of Sistan and south of Khorasan in second half of warm season. Asbads with traditional and domestic style provide opportunity for residents to utilize renewable energies. Different types of Asbads have spread all over “big Sistan” which are constructed differently according to the circumstances and ability of residents. Due to this fact, some of them have simple and rural forms and the others are more complicated. However, their functions are the same but their sizes and their efficiencies are different. Studies show that we can break Asbads down into the three groups such as simple Asbads, cylinder Asbads and corridor ones.

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Eight wheat varieties some of which were earlier reported to be resistant to Pythium arrhennmanes, were inoculated with P. arrhenomanes. Inoculation was performed by placing 2-day-old seedlings on the edge of a P. arrhenomanes culture on corn meal agar for 3 h at 25°C. Infected seedlings were then transferred to test tubes (9 mm dia.) containing glass beads and 1 ml of sterile water, and incubated for 4 days at 25°O Non-inoculated seedlings were exposed to the toxic metabolite(s) from P. arrhenomanes by placing them in test tubes containing 1 ml of a 25-day-old culture filtrate of P. arrhenomanes. Non-inoculated seedlings grown in test tubes containing sterile water served as controls. Measurements were taken on root and shoot length, as well as fresh and dry root and shoot weights. There was an indication that it may be possible to use the toxic metabolite(s) in screening for resistance to P. arrhenomanes. Although all of the varieties appeared to be susceptible, there were some differences among them in their reaction to fungal infection or exposure to the toxic metabolite(s).

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Background: Clindamycin inducible resistant Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) isolates can cause failure in treatment with this antibiotic. Biofilm production via polysaccharide intercellular adhesion (PIA) contributes in the colonization of S. aureus, resulting in the initiation of different diseases. The aim of this study was to detect icaADBC genes among isolates of S.aureus with inducible resistance to clindamycin. Materials and Methods: A total of 209 clinical S.aureus isolates werecollected and identified by conventional phenotypic tests. Isolates with inducible resistance to clindamycin were detected by double disk diffusion test (D-Test) using clindamycin (2 μg) and erythromycin (15 μg). Oxacillin was used to detect Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was performed to detect the icaADBC genes. Results: The rate of clindamycin inducible resistance was 4% (n=8). All the isolates were susceptible to methicillin. Four isolates (50%) contained the whole icaADBC genes. The prevalence of icaA, icaB, icaC and icaD genes were 5 (62.5%), 4 (50%), 6 (75%) and 5 (62.5%), respectively. Conclusion: The results indicate that the prevalence of  icaADBC genes among clindamycin inducible resistant strains was low, and also these strains were susceptible to methicillin.

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The pattern in the last few decades, especially in countries and regions located in the desert of the earth are considered, as a reflection of climate change. A situation that threatens security, stability and development in many areas due to reduced rainfall and water scarcity. Iran has also been strongly influenced by these events and changes in its attitude towards its geographical position during the last decade and half. Southeastern Iran with center (Sistan and Baluchestan Province) which has been a region with low rainfall, daring several periods of time due to climate to the point that it has become one of the migrating provinces of the country. An event that has itself given rise to emerging security issues and challenges, especially in border areas
The present article is based on the hypothesis that the decrease in rainfall and threat of water resources has led to the emigration of the province. The methodology of the present study is descriptive-analytical and the required data and information are collected through the meteorological organization and the national statistics center and then using standard rainfall (SPI) and normal rainfall (PNPI) percentage investigate and analyze the spatial distribution of drought (period, 1996-2011) and its impact on the migration of residents of the strategic area. The results show that the occurrence of severe or very severe droughts in a region has negative reflections on the livelihood of residents in the region, which with the attitude of the people of the province to dependence on limited water resources and traditional agriculture and the lack of land management policies and hydro-political relations between Iran and Afghanistan have led to an increase in the crisis in the east of the country, and the people of this province have inevitably migrated to neighboring provinces and other parts of the country to provide better living conditions.

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The Bird cherry-oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) is a serious threat to several cereal crops. Host-plant resistance to this aphid could be especially valuable in cereal crops pest management. Therefore, we evaluated the development, survivorship, reproduction and population growth parameters of R. padi as resistance indices among six wheat cultivars, including Gaskojen, Tajan, Falat, Saysonz, Kras and Sardari at 25 °C under laboratory conditions. The development time and fecundity of aphid differed significantly among the tested wheat cultivars. The r_m values were highest for aphids reared on Sardari and lowest on Gaskojen and intermediate on Tajan, Saysonz and Kras cultivars. Aphid showed the longest development time and the lowest fecundity, reflecting in the lowest r_m value on Gaskojen cultivar. Consequently, Gaskojen showed more positive characteristics and was relatively not susceptible cultivar that could be considered for planning a comprehensive IPM program of R. padi.

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Background: Staphylococcus aureus can cause infections with a wide spectrum of illnesses ranging from benign skin infections to bloodstream infection leading to mortality. Antimicrobial resistance especially methicillin resistance in S. aureus (MRSA strains) is currently problematic. The emergence of MRSA infections has developed in both the healthcare and the community settings.  The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of MRSA and SCCmec types in Iran according to the previously published studies.    
Methods: For this review, the terms of MRSA, Iran, methicillin, mecA and SCCmec types were searched in searching engines including Google scholar, PubMed, SciVerse, and Scopus. Data from veterinary sources were excluded. Data were analyzed with Graph Pad Prism 6 considering meta-analysis section.
Results: Among several studies and approximately of 1810 results, the prevalence of MRSA was determined as approximately 56.5%. In the year of 2015 and 2016, results exhibited a higher prevalence of MRSA (62.2%) compared to 2013 and 2014, although not exceeded from 46% in healthy individuals. Moreover, among the SCCmec types, the SCCmec Type III has been reported as the predominant type (60.48%) followed by Type IV (21.2%), Type I (17.72%), Type II (17.12%), and Type V (0.56%). 
Conclusion: According to previous data, the prevalence of MRSA is increasing in Iran. However, it may be different for each year depending on several reasons. Moreover, the SCCmec Type III is the predominant type in the country. The SCCmec Type IV has also emerged in CA-MRSA isolates.

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Background: Infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Acinetobacter baumannii are of greatest concern for hospitalized patients, particularly those in intensive care units (ICUs). The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of integrons and biofilm formation among P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii isolates collected from ICU and non-ICU inpatients.
Materials and Methods: A total of 90 P. aeruginosa and 90 A. baumannii isolates were recovered from patients admitted into diverse units of Shahid Mohammadi hospital in Bandar Abbas from January to December 2014. Bacterial identification was carried out by phenotypic methods and PCR. Antibiotic susceptibility was measured by disk diffusion assay. The presence of Class 1, 2, and 3 integrons were evaluated by multiplex-PCR. Biofilm quantification was done by microtiter method.
Results: The highest number of isolates (48%) were recovered from ICU patients. 81% of P. aeruginosa isolateswere sensitive to piperacillin/tazobactam and ticarcillin, while 60% were resistant to third generation of cephalosporins. In case of A. baumannii, all the isolates were sensitive to colistin, but 98% were resistant to other antibiotics (p≤0.05). Susceptibility to ceftazidime, ticarcillin, imipenem, and piperacillin/tazobactam were higher among isolates obtained from non-ICU patients. Class 1 integron was detected in 13.3% of the P. aeruginosa and 40% of the A. baumannii isolates, while Class 2 integron was harbored by 7 and 6.6% of the isolates, respectively. Furthermore, 23% of the A. baumannii and 12% of the P. aeruginosa isolates showed strong biofilm activity.
Conclusion: Class 1 integron-positive isolates were resistant to three classes of antibiotics and predominantly observed in specimens collected from ICU patients showing strong biofilm.

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Most nosocomial infections have been attributed to nonfermenters, particularly Acinetobacter baumannii which causes serious infections like pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis. The purpose of this study was to report our experience with five cases of A. baumannii-related pneumonia infections, seen in a regional hospital, Karaj, Iran. Five cases were identified as having A. baumannii- related pneumonia infection.  All cases had been treated previously with various antibiotics at time of diagnosis. The treatment of A. baumannii- related pneumonia infection in all the cases varied. But unfortunately, all the five cases died from severe A. baumannii- related pneumonia and severe sepsis. Our cases brought forth the burden of A. baumannii-related pneumonia infections associated with significant mortality. Physicians should be aware of the remarkable virulence and antibiotic resistance.

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This article tries to identify the common stability themes and factors in the poems of Shamlu and Darvish. For doing so, the poems of these poets were investigated in descriptive and analytical way. Comparative study of Shamlu and Darvish poems in the scope of stability poetry and explaining the common elements and analysis of the stability themes from content and linguistic perspective will be effective in analysis of the stability poetry in the world literature. In addition, this analysis helps us to identify these poets’ ideology and thoughts in detail. Therefore, the common elements of stability poetry in the world literature are recognized by broad research on the resistance literature of the nations. The poems of Mahmud Darvish and Ahmad Shamlu contain numerous common themes on resistance literature such as patriotism, confronting oppression and liberty and etc. The conditions of both poets have influenced their poetry and both of them have expressed their ideals ideologically because of tyranny and suffocation.