Ghazvin Province Research Articles

Investigation of the Relationship Between Egg Shell Strength and Thickness Using Non-Destructive Ultrasound Method

This research investigates the main specifications of eggshell which are the thickness of the shell and its strength. For this purpose, random sampling was implemented on 180 fresh and healthy eggs of Bovance breed produced at Ghazvin province agricultural jihad organization’s training center. To measure the shell thickness, four methods, dial gauge, ultrasound waves, micro-meter and photometer, were applied. Due to its precision, the indicator hour destructive measurement method was selected as the control method. By analyzing and comparing data collected through 4 methods in the research, a significant difference between measurement methods was revealed. Moreover, comparing the measurement methods with the control method (dial gauge), the lowest measurement error was that of the ultrasound wave measurement method with 7.1% and the highest was that of the photometer method with 15.7%. Furthermore, regression equations are determined for the referred measurement methods with the shell strength. It was observed that the ultrasound method compared to other methods proposed in this study is more accurate for measuring the thickness of the eggshell non-destructively. Therefore, the non-destructive ultrasonic measurement method can be a suitable alternative to these methods due to the proximity of the measured values to non-destructive, direct, and accurate destructive methods. Since the ultrasound method is a fast and relatively inexpensive method, this method can be used in the quality grading process of eggs.

Phylogenetic analyses of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx Linnaeus, 1758) including new mitochondrial DNA sequences from Iran

The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) is one of the widespread felids in Eurasia; however, relatively little is known about the Asian subspecies, and especially the Iranian populations, which comprise the most southwestern part of its range. The current study aimed to assess the phylogenetic status of Iranian populations relative to other populations of Eurasia, by sequencing a 613 bp fragment of the mitochondrial control region. In total, 44 haplotypes were recorded from 83 sequences throughout Eurasia, two of which were found in Iran. The haplotype (H1) is dominant in all Iranian lynx populations and identical to specimens from SW Russia and central China. The second haplotype (H2) is unique and was recorded only from Ghazvin Province in the central Alborz Mountains. Both haplotypes occur in Ghazvin Province. The phylogenetic tree and a median-joining network identified four clades (i.e., East, West 1, West 2, and South). These results are congruent with previous studies and suggest that Eurasian lynx was restricted to the southern part of its range during the glacial maxima and expanded from there to East Asia and to Europe during several independent re-colonization events. The Caucasus region most like plays an important role as a refugium during glacial cycles.

Clinical Manifestations and Laboratory Findings of Brucellosis at Boo-Ali-Siena Hospital of Ghazvin Province of Iran

Background: Brucellosis as a zoonotic disease is controlled in many developed countries though it still remains endemic in the majority of Middle Eastern and developing countries. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the demographic features, clinical manifestations, and laboratory tests of patients diagnosed with brucellosis in Ghazvin province of Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, medical records of 83 cases with brucellosis (54 males and 29 females) over a 3-year period (from June, 2012 to June, 2015) were reviewed, retrospectively. Demographic features, clinical signs and symptoms, hematologic findings, and liver enzyme level were derived from the patients’ medical record. Results: The mean age of cases was 42.5±18.3 years. Constitutional symptoms, which were noted in 45 (54%) cases, were the most common symptom of the disease. Clinical manifestations, including Sacroileitis, arthritis, and epididymo-orchitis were seen in 20 (24.1%), 10 (12%), and 7 (8.4%) cases, respectively. One case of Endocarditis (1.2%) was noted. Anemia as the most frequent blood abnormality was seen in 44 (53%) cases. Leukopenia and leukocytosis were noted in 17 (20.5%) and 9 (10.8%) patients, respectively. Thrombocytopenia and thrombocytosis were detected in 26 (31.3%) and 3 (3.6%) of the patients, respectively. Bicytopenia and pancytopenia were revealed in 9 (10.8%) and 11 (13.3%) cases, respectively. Elevated level of liver enzymes, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were detected in 29 (34.9), 37 (44.6), and 51 (61.5) patients, respectively. Conclusions: Brucellosis could affect every organ system of the human body. Variable manifestations and laboratory findings of brucellosis must be kept in mind, especially in endemic areas.

On the Toponymy of the Iranian Azerbaijan

The article is a tentative classification of the toponymy of the Turkish speaking Iranian regions, now including Eastern and Western Azerbaijans, Ardabil, Zanjan and Ghazvin Provinces. Based on a comprehensive study the writer did, as of 2008, a database of 12,000 Iranian toponyms was collected from the series of volumes of Farhang-e joγrāfyāyīī-e īrān, (Iranian Geographical Encyclopedia), published by the Persian Army Survey (1949-1982). In addition, information was collected from local private libraries, and scattered articles from patriotic scholars like Ahmad Kasravi1. Finally, to update the data, due to the socio-political developments affecting the toponymy of the country during the recent years, several field studies were also done in the various provinces of Iran including Ardabil, Eastern and Western Azerbaijans, Kurdistan, Gilan, Mazandaran and Khorasan. The collected data were categorized from different aspects regarding the origin of the toponyms, their meanings, and their word formation procedures. This article aims to provide evidence that the original Iranian elements are present in the toponymy of Iran, including all Turkish speaking provinces, and that the linguistic shift from Persian to Turkish in the region, has by no means affected the ethnic Iranian characteristics and identity of its population, against all propaganda to impose Turkish origins and identity to the people of the region. The focus of the study was to locate the common Iranian topoformant suffixes found in the place names throughout the country. The article casts a particular look at the tentative etymology of a place name of the Iranian origin (Sām-aspī), attested in Ardabīl district.

Efficiency Determination of Rural Health Centers of Ghazvin Province Using Data Envelopment Analysis Approach in 2006-2010 Period

Background Given the scarcity of resources in the areas of health, the efficient use of these resources is very important. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficiency of rural health centers of Ghazvin province in the period of 2006-2010.Materials & Methods This is a descriptive-analytical study, in which all rural health centers in Qazvin Province, 43 centers, were included. Independent variables were the number of physicians, health experts, technicians, and community health workers, and the dependent variables were percentages of screening for congenital hypothyroidism, percentages of iron supplementation in the first guidance school students, number of visits of public procurements and food distribution centers, number of general practitioner’s visit, and number of specialist referral by the general physician. In this study, input-oriented model and variable returns to scale (VRS) assumption were used. Also, time trend of efficiency was estimated with a regression model. Data envelopment analysis (DEA)-solver and Stata software were used to measure efficiency and estimate regression models, respectively.Results The mean technical efficiencies during 2006 to 2010 were 0.77, 0.77, 0.78, 0.92, and 0.89, respectively. Also, the average scale efficiencies in these years were 0.98, 0.95, 0.95, 0.97, and 0.97, respectively. Average score of managerial efficiency increased from 0.78 to 0.92 during this period. The results of time trend showed that β-coefficient for average score of efficiency was 0.039 and statistically significant (P=0.03). Conclusion The mean levels of efficiency and health outcomes have been improved in these years but some of resources are still wasted. It seems that some practices such as ongoing evaluation of performance, improving the quality and quantity of services, and programing for optimal use of inputs, can be particularly useful.

Nurses' experiences of futile care at intensive care units: a phenomenological study.

The concept and meaning of futile care depends on the existing culture, values, religion, beliefs, medical achievements and emotional status of a country. We aimed to define the concept of futile care in the viewpoints of nurses working in intensive care units (ICUs). In this phenomenological study, the experiences of 25 nurses were explored in 11 teaching hospitals affiliated to Social Security Organization in Ghazvin province in the northwest of Iran. Personal interviews and observations were used for data collection. All interviews were recorded as well as transcribed and codes, subthemes and themes were extracted using Van Manen’s analysis method. Initially, 191 codes were extracted. During data analysis and comparison, the codes were reduced to 178. Ultimately, 9 sub-themes and four themes emerged: uselessness, waste of resources, torment, and aspects of futility. Nurses defined futile care as “useless, ineffective care giving with wastage of resources and torment of both patients and nurses having nursing and medical aspects”As nurses play a key role in managing futile care, being aware of their experiences in this regard could be the initial operational step for providing useful care as well as educational programs in ICUs. Moreover, the results of this study could help nursing managers adopt supportive approaches to reduce the amount of futile care which could in turn resolve some of the complications nurses face at these wards such as burnout, ethical conflicts, and leave.

A study of the genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in northern Iran, with description of a new species

The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) was studied in 2 provinces of northern Iran (Tehran and Ghazvin provinces). Six species were collected and identified. A new species, Empidideicus formosus Hakimian, Talebi, & Gharali sp. nov., is described and its diagnostic characters are illustrated. This species is closely related to E. unicus Gharali & Evenhuis, 2011, but it is easily distinguished by the almost all-yellow prescutellar area and striated female spermathecal reservoirs.

Stochastic order-based optimal design of a surface reservoir–irrigation district system

This paper explores the effects of streamflow uncertainty and the type of stochastic order, which is used for comparing stochastic variables, on optimal design of a reservoir multi-crop irrigation district system. Four nonlinear mathematical programs with an economic objective function including deterministic, stochastic-EXP with expected value order, stochastic-SD with stochastic dominance (SD) order, and stochastic-EGCL with expected gain-confidence limit (EGCL) order were developed. Afterwards, the approaches of successive linear programming (SLP) and PSO–MC, which combines particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm and Monte Carlo simulation (MC), to solve the programs were selected. Hajiarab Irrigation District located in Ghazvin Province of Iran was used as a case study and the results obtained from using different programs and solution approaches were analyzed and compared. Among the solution approaches, SLP could not solve the programs other than the deterministic one while PSO–MC could find at least good solutions, if not the global optima, for all the programs. Among the main decision variables, the stochastic programs resulted in a reduced size of irrigation district compared with that obtained by the deterministic program. Moreover, the programs using stochastic orders other than a simple expected value converged at solutions different from the solution reached by the expected value-based program.

Study on morphology, pathogenicity and genetic diversity of Wilsonomyces carpophilus isolates, the causal agent of shot hole of stone fruit trees based on RAPD-PCR in Iran

Shot hole disease is one of the most important diseases of stone fruit trees in Iran. The disease is wide spread among orchards of Prunus spp. During spring and summer of 2007, 80 monoconidial isolates of the pathogen were recovered from infected leaves, fruits and twigs of different Prunus spp. in West Azerbaijan, Tehran, Ghazvin and Razavi Khorasan provinces of Iran and were studied taxonomically. Based on morphological and physiological characteristics and growth optimal temperature, all isolates were identified as Wilsonomyces carpophilus. Seedlings of stone fruits (apricot, almond, peach, nectarine, plum, sweet cherry and sour cherry) were used for pathogenicity tests. All seedlings were susceptible to the fungal isolates and showed disease symptoms on twigs, leaves, buds and petioles. Genetic diversity of 28 selected fungal isolates was investigated based on DNA fingerprinting by random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR), using four random primers. Based on cluster analysis of the PCR results from the four primers, 10 fingerprinting groups (clonal lineages) and 27 haplotypes were identified. Clonal lineages “C”, “D” and “E”, each with six haplotypes formed the biggest clonal lineages, but other clonal lineages (“B”, “F”, “G”, “H”, “I” and “J”) included only one isolate. No correlation was detected among clonal lineages with the location of selected isolates and their host species. A correlation was found between the substrate (fruit, twig or leaf) and clonal lineages, particularly in “C” clonal lineage. The results showed that the fungus population had high genetic diversity which is distributed among the different areas of Iran.

Application of ANFIS to predict crop yield based on different energy inputs

In this paper, adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) was used to predict the grain yield of irrigated wheat in Abyek town of Ghazvin province, Iran. Due to large number of inputs (eight inputs) for ANFIS, the input vector was clustered into two groups and two networks were trained. Inputs for ANFIS 1 were diesel fuel, fertilizer and electricity energies and for ANFIS 2 were human labor, machinery, chemicals, water for irrigation and seed energies. The RMSE and R2 values were found 0.013 and 0.996 for ANFIS 1 and 0.018 and 0.992 for ANFIS 2, respectively. These results showed that ANFIS 1 and ANFIS 2 could well predict the yield. Finally, the predicted values of the two networks were used as inputs to the third ANFIS. The results indicated that the energy inputs in ANFIS 1 have a greater impact on the final yield production than other energy inputs. Also, the RMSE and R2 values for ANFIS 3 were 0.013 and 0.996, respectively. These results showed that ANFIS 1 and the combined network (ANFIS 3) could both predict the grain yield with good accuracy.

Introduction of medicinal plants species with the most traditional usage in alamut region.

The ethnobotany of the medicinal plants of Alamut region is important in understanding the cultures and traditions of Alamut people. This study documents 16 medicinal plant species, most commonly used by the indigenous people of Alamut region (Ghazvin Province), northwest, Iran. The botanical name, family name, vernacular name, part used, and the application of the plants have been provided in this paper. Alamut region was divided into different villages with the aid of maps. We recorded traditional knowledge and use of medicinal plants from herbal practitioners and village seniors in Alamut. The plants were gathered from different sites. The fully dried specimens were then mounted on herbarium sheets. We found 16 medicinal plants belonging to 11 families which were traditionally used in Alamut. Finally, we describe traditional usages by the native people in the Alamut region. The obtained results were compared with data on the herb's clinical effects. A set of voucher specimens were deposited to the Institute of Medicinal Plants Herbarium (IMPH).

Yield and water use efficiency of corn planted in one or two rows and applying furrow or drip tape irrigation systems in Ghazvin Province, Iran

AbstractThis study investigated water use efficiency and yield in corn (SC 704) irrigated with drip (tape) and furrow irrigation systems in Ghazvin, Iran, in 2006. Four levels of irrigation including: 80, 100 and 120% of water requirement with drip irrigation (tape) and 100% water requirement with furrow irrigation as main plots and method of planting (one and two rows), as well as three levels of crop density including: 75 000, 90 000 and 105 000 (plants ha−1) as subplots were considered. The highest average grain yield was 12.9 t ha−1 while the treatment was drip irrigation at level of 120% water requirement in a two‐row planting pattern and crop density equal to 75 000 plants ha−1 (I3R2D1 treatment). The highest water use efficiency (WUE) was obtained in I3R2D1 treatment as 1.96 kg m−3, while the lowest was found in drip irrigation at a level of 80% water requirement in a two‐row planting pattern and crop density equal to 75 000 plants ha−1 (I1R2D1 treatment) as 0.82 kg m−3. Variance analysis of the grain yield data indicated that both planting pattern and interaction of planting pattern and crop density significantly affected the yields. Generally, the planting of one row resulted in significantly higher grain yields than the other planting pattern. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Association of a Phytoplasma with Pistachio Witches’ Broom Disease in Iran

Pistachio is an important crop in Iran, which is a major producer and exporter of pistachio nuts. The occurrence of a new disease of pistachio trees, characterized by the development of severe witches' broom, stunted growth and leaf rosetting, was observed in Ghazvin Province. A phytoplasma was detected in infected trees by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of rRNA operon sequences. Nested PCR with primer pairs P1/P7 and R16F2n/R16R2 was used for specific detection of the phytoplasma in infected trees. To determine its taxonomy, the random fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) pattern and sequence analysis of the amplified rRNA gene were studied. Sequencing of the amplified products of the phytoplasma 16S rRNA gene indicated that pistachio witches' broom (PWB) phytoplasma is in a separate 16S rRNA group of phytoplasmas (with sequence homology 97% in Blast search). The unique properties of the DNA of the PWB phytoplasma indicate that it is a representative of a new taxon.

Ultrastructural and molecular characterization of Sarcocystis isolated from camel (Camelus dromedarius) in Iran

Sarcocystis cameli was first described in one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius), and it is the only species which have so far reported in camels. Although more than 150 species of Sarcocystis were described in various animals, only a few data on camel Sarcocystis ultrastructure were published, and this report is the first for molecular information (DNA sequence and RLFP digestion pattern). The main objective of the present work is to characterize Sarcocystis isolated from camels by electron microscopy and PCR-RFLP methods. Muscle samples were taken from the fresh esophagus, diaphragm, skeletal muscles, and heart of one-humped camels (C. dromedarius) slaughtered in abattoirs of Tehran and Ghazvin provinces, Iran. The dissection and trypsin digestion techniques were applied for the detection of the cysts. The infected samples were fixed in glutaraldehyde and/or frozen at -20°C until use for ultrastructural and molecular studies, respectively. The ultrastructural and molecular studies were carried out contemporaneously. The 18S rRNA gene of the parasites was amplified by PCR. The PCR products were cloned into a pTZ57R/T and sequenced. In addition, the PCR products were digested separately with each of the four restriction enzymes for RFLP. Our results indicated that only microcysts were observed in muscle samples. The microcysts were white, elongated, spindled, and a few spiral-shaped, with mean size 260 × 75 μm which are identical with S. cameli. The ultrastructure of microcyst wall had many non-branched finger-like protrusions irregularly folded. There was a 600-bp specific band amplified after PCR with specific primers. The molecular data for camel Sarcocystis is reported for the first time in Iran and the world.

ULTRASTRUCTURAL AND MOLECULAR STUDIES ON FAT AND THIN MACROCYSTS OF SARCOCYSTIS SPP. ISOLATED FROM NATURALLY INFECTED GOATS

There is considerable confusion concerning the structure and synonymity of macroscopic sarcocysts in goats. In the present work, ultrastructural and molecular study on fat and thin macrocysts of Sarcocystis isolated from naturally infected goats were investigated. Two forms of macrocystic sarcocysts were collected from fresh oesophagus, diaphragm, skeletal muscles and heart of slaughtered goats in abattoirs of Tehran and Ghazvin provinces of Iran. Then ultrastructural and molecular studies were carried out contemporaneous using PCR technique and transmission electron microscope respectively. Based on morphological examinations both cysts differ in shape with naked eye but they had the same wall structure with electron microscopy study. The 18S rRNA amplification by PCR showed a 637-bp band for both forms. The results of sequencing of PCR product of the cysts indicated these two kinds of cysts were identical to each other and also to Sarcocystis moulei. The present result, suggests that fat and thin cysts are the same and identical species.

Geochemistry of Major, Trace, and Rare Earth Elements in Biglar Permo-Triassic Bauxite Deposit, Northwest of Abgarm, Ghazvin Province, Iran

Biglar Permo-Triassic bauxite deposit is located in ~15 km northwest of Abgarm, southwest of Ghazvin province, west of central Iran. It consists of 8 stratiform and discontinuous bauxite lenses lying along the contact of Ruteh (Permian) and Elika (Triassic) carbonate formations. Petrographically, the bauxite ores exhibit collomorphic-fluidal, pseudo-breccia, pseudo-porphyritic, panidiomorphic-granular, nodular, and skeletal textures indicative of authigenic origin. Weathering of andesitic parent rocks led to the formation of Ferruginous laterite, bauxitic clay, and siliceous bauxite. Mass change calculations of elements indicate that Si, and Ba were depleted during bauxitization and Al, Ti, Zr, Nb, Hf, Ga, U, Th, V, and Cr were enriched. However, Fe, Y, Rb, Sr, Co, Ni, LREEs, and HREEs experienced leaching-fixation mechanism during the development of the residual system. Based upon obtained data, the available organic matters, pH variations in weathering solutions, adsorption process, functioning of carbonate bedrock as a geochemical barrier, existing in resistant minerals, and fixation in the neomorphic phases have been shown to play significant role in distribution of trace and rare earth elements. Further geochemical considerations indicate that minerals such as monazite, rhabdophane, belovite, churchite, and xenotime are the potential hosts for rare earth elements in Biglar bauxite deposit.

Essential Oil Content and Composition of Satureja sahendica Bornm. at Different Stages of Plant Growth

The aerial parts of Satureja sahandica Bornm. were collected in three stages of plant growth (at the beginning of, full and end of flowering stage) from Ghazvin province in the north of Iran. The essential oils were isolated by hydrodistillation from the aerial parts of the plant material. The oils were analyzed by capillary GC and GC/MS. The highest oil yield was obtained at the beginning of flowering (3.30% w/w), then the oil content decreased to 2.28% at full flowering stage and more decreased (1.65%) at the end of flowering. Twenty-three compounds were identified in the oil of S. sahandica at the beginning of flowering with γ-terpinene (42.3%), thymol (34.6%) and p-cymene (11.7%) as main components. Twenty-three constituents were characterized in the oil of full flowering stage with p-cymene (30.2%), thymol (29.6%) and γ-terpinene (27.7%) as major components. Twenty-seven compounds were identified in the oil at the end of flowering with p-cymene (58.1%), thymol (19.3%) and γ-terpinene (9.3%) as main components. The results showed, the percentage of p-cymene was increased in the oil of Satureja sahendica with growth of the plant and during flowering period and the percentage of thymol and γ-terpinene have been reduced. So, harvesting of Satureja sahendica can be commented at the beginning of flowering because of higher oil content and percentage of thymol.