فاطمه خدایی

The phenomenon of desertification refers to the process of destruction and devastation of natural ecosystems in arid, semi-arid and semi-humid arid regions, which leads to a decrease in biomass production and the emergence of soil destruction effects or erosion (Ekhtesasi et al., 2011: 14). Desertification occurs due to natural factors such as climatic variables and human activities (Binal et al., 2018: 10), (Collado et al., 2002: 121) and its impact on ecological processes is very high and complex, such as negative effect on plant characteristics (such as biomass, lands density and area covered by vegetation), soil biodiversity loss and reduction soil fertility, change in landscape patterns of arid areas at various geographical scales (Xu et al., 2009: 1738). Therefore, combating desertification is essential to ensure long-term soil and land exploitation in arid regions of the world. Destruction of water resources, both quantitatively and qualitatively, can lead to biomass depletion and eventually desertification. Groundwater quality is the result of all the processes and reactions that operate on water from the moment of condensation in the atmosphere until it is discharged from a well or spring.

1-2- Study area The study area included part of the Urmia catchment located in the northwest of Iran with a longitude of 44”0’ to 47”0’E and latitude of 37”0’ to 38”20’N, with an area of 14.395km2. The intersection of the mountain and the plain indicates the boundaries of the study area. (figure 1).     Fig (1): The study area 2-2- Method of Preparing a map of desertification sensitive areas in a project entitled “MEDALUS” It was carried out by the European Commission, and the ESAS model was presented in 1999. In the Medalus method, four key criteria are evaluated: soil quality, climate quality, vegetation quality and management quality. Each criterion also has indicators that, in fact, form the layers of that criterion. In Iran, by calibrating the mentioned model, at first, the most important criteria affecting the desertification process are identified and scored based on descriptive-quantitative indicators. The score 1 is considered for the best conditions and the score 2 is considered for the worst conditions and for the average conditions the score between 1-2 is considered. In the next stage, the score of the indicators is investigated and using the geometric mean based on equation 1, the status map is calculated for each main criterion:(1)   Ix = [(L1) × (L2) × (L3)…… .. (Ln)]1 / n   Ix: The status related to each main criterion includes: soil status, climate status, vegetation status, erosion status, management status and groundwater status.   L1, 2, …… n:  Indicators under investigation for each criterion N: The number of indicators under investigation for each criterion In the Medallus model, the desertification risk map is obtained by emphasizing the groundwater criterion according to the following equation:(2)   Criterion of water resources destruction= (groundwater drop × electrical  conductivity ratio × groundwater chlorine ratio × sodium absorption ratio) 1.6 .

After preparing the weighted layers, the groundwater quality map was prepared using ArcGIs software environment. According to the obtained results in the southern half and southeastern of the case study area, groundwater has low quality because the four indicators of water electrical conductivity, chlorine ratio, sodium adsorption ratio, and water table level drop ratio have the highest ratio. So that the electrical conductivity ratio in these areas is in the high class and is about (2400-4600 dS / m), the chlorine ratio is in the middle class and is equal to (500-1033 mg / l), the sodium absorption ratio is in the very high class and is about (27-92 mg /l). In these areas, the groundwater table level has decreased about 50 cm per year (figure 2).   Fig (2): Desertification intensity map with emphasis on groundwater criteria based on Medalus model.

The present research has been conducted with the aim of zoning the risk of desertification based on groundwater resources in the surrounding area of Lake Urmia in the time period from 2000 to 2018 using Medalus desertification model. According to the obtained results, 212 square kilometers of the total area of ​​the case study are in the very severe desertification class, 338 square kilometers are in the severe desertification class, 1,708 square kilometers are in the moderate desertification class, 4,723 square kilometers are in the poor desertification class, and 7,414 square kilometers are in the no desertification class. The parts located in the south and southeast of the case study area have been affected more than other areas by the destruction of groundwater resources and subsequently the occurrence of desertification phenomenon. Because the four indicators of the water electrical conductivity ratio, the chlorine ratio, the sodium absorption ratio, and the water table drop ratio have the highest ratio.  Alluvial aquifers adjacent to the lake have been exploited beyond their allowable capacity limit in recent decades, which along with the drought of the last decade has disturbed the balance of groundwater reserves and also the balance between saline and fresh water in alluvial aquifers. As a result, in some parts of alluvial aquifers near the lake, saline groundwater has infiltrated fresh water and affected its quality. On the other hand, with the increase of irregular abstraction of groundwater, the water level has risen in some areas and has caused desertification by reducing the ratio of soil ventilation. The high ratio of chlorine existing in groundwater is among the factors of soil salinity and a factor that limits the growth of vegetation in the case study area. The ratio of electrical conductivity of groundwater in the case study area is also significant due to reduced rainfall and increased evaporation ratio. This point has led to the destruction of soil structure and the creation of problems in lands drainage and has reduced and decreased the vegetation of the area quantitatively. The investigation of factors affecting the destruction of water resources showed that the geological factor and the presence of geological formations of the third period and quaternary alluvium, and agricultural and garden land use with the highest ratio of table level drop have had an important role in reducing groundwater quality and as a result, the desertification in the case study area.

Cognitive impairment is a common progressive disease in the elderly and is one of the worldwide leading causes of their disability. What makes it worse that there are currently no treatments to reverse cognitive impairment. Therefore, early intervention would be the best issue to prevent cognitive impairment. Moreover, early detection of asymptomatic cognitive impairment can prevent Alzheimerchr('39')s disease. Improvement in cognitive impairment could be related to the amount of physical activity. Recently, the effects of serum lipid profiles, including total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, have been studied on cognitive impairment in the elderly. The results of these researches on how lipid profile levels can affect cognitive function have been controversial. On the other hand, the effects of various types of exercise, including the intensity and duration of these exercises on serum lipid profile and also its relationship with cognitive function in the elderly are unknown. Furthermore, most studies are focused on aerobic exercise and hence investigation on the effect of various types of exercise, including resistance and combination exercises on serum lipid profiles and cognitive status, and the relationship between them in the elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment have been neglected so far. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to compare the effect of different types of exercise, and not only aerobic exercise, on serum lipid profile in one hand, and also its relationship with cognitive function in the elderly with mild cognitive impairment on the other hand.

The present study is a pilot study with a small population to be effective in future investigations with more subjects and longer duration. For this study, thirty elderly (men and women) patients in the age range of 50 to 70 years old which diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment were selected from the 1223 patients who referred to the Cardiovascular clinic of Imam Reza subspecialty Clinic which is under supervision of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, as the study population. In selecting this population, in addition to mild cognitive impairment, three other parameters also were considered for the research samples. First, they should not have been regularly exercising for past six months before the start of the study. Second, they should not have any respiratory or cardiac disease; Finally, in a case that they have had surgery, at least 6 months must be passed since it. The samples were randomly divided into three groups: aerobic exercise group (n = 10), resistance exercise group (n = 10) and combined (aerobic and resistance) exercise group (n = 10). Twelve weeks of the resistance, aerobic and combined exercise programs consisted of 90-minute sessions in length, three days per week with moderate intensity for each mentioned group. In the present study, exercise programs were designed according to the physical condition of the subjects and based on the recommended physical activity instructions for the elderly. Evaluations including Lipid profiles levels and the cognitive performance of the samples were made at baseline and at the end of the twelfth week. Lipid profiles including total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were tested in the laboratory of Shiraz Hafez Hospital which is under the auspices of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, using an auto-analyzer and Pars Azmoon kits (made in Iran). Also, the cognitive performance of the samples was assessed by a short mental status test, which includes a cognitive status questionnaire by Folstein et al. The Shapiro Wilk test was used to found the normality of distribution and also knowing that whether parametric tests could be used or not. The results reported as mean and standard deviation and a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was utilized to determine the differences between variables. The paired t-tests were performed to detect differences between time points (pre and post). Also, in order to understand the relationship between the variables, the Pearson’s single correlation test was used and statistical significance was set at p≤0.05. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) ver.22 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA) was used for statistical analysis. To do so, the differences of all variables between groups, their relationship, and changes between pre-test and post-test were evaluated.

The results showed that except for the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol marker, which was significantly reduced in the resistance group, in other serum lipid profiles, there was no significant difference observed between the groups results after three months of aerobic, resistance, and combined exercise. However, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased in the aerobic and combined groups and increased in the resistance group, which none of them were significant. Also, after three months of exercise, high-density lipoprotein decreased in the aerobic group and on the other hand increased in the combination and resistance groups. Therefore, in the resistance group, despite the increase in total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to a low extent, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels decreased significantly. Hence, resistance exercise is able to optimally reduce the concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. On the other hand, cognitive function in all the three groups increased significantly after 12 weeks (p≤ 0.05). Finally, it should be mentioned that despite the simultaneous improvement of some of the serum lipid profiles and cognitive function, no significant relationship in the elderly was found between lipid profiles and cognitive function.

According to the results of this study, the resistance and the aerobic exercise are able to improve one or two serum lipid profiles in the elderly with mild cognitive impairment; But, the combined exercise improves all serum lipid profile markers, which (should be mentioned) was much less effective than other two types of exercise. Overall, it seems that the resistance exercise can improve the serum lipid profile in the elderly more effectively. On the other hand, the results indicate that the aerobic, resistance, and combination exercises are able to improve cognitive function in the elderly with mild cognitive impairment. However, more comprehensive studies with larger sample sizes should be done in this regard.

 During life, many factors cause functional impairment and imbalance in body balance process. One of these disabilities and functional impairment is Parkinson's Disease. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of attentional instructions and exercise with resistance socks on the static and dynamic balance of Parkinson's patients.

 In order to investigate this, 25 females (Mean±SD: 62.20±2.31) were purposefully selected among the patients with Parkinson's disease with over 60 years of age in Shahrood City and were randomly assigned into five experimental groups: 1. External attentional instruction group along with exercise with resistance socks; 2. Internal attentional instruction group along with exercise with resistance socks; 3. External attentional instruction group along with exercise without resistance socks; 4. Internal attentional instruction group along with resistance exercise without socks; and 5. Resistance exercises group without socks and without justifying instructions. The training protocol of present study was 90 minutes, three times a week for 8 weeks in a state of exercises in water for each of the five groups of resistance and non-resistance training. The static and dynamic balance of participants was recorded in the pretest-posttest phases.

 The findings of One-way Covariance Analysis (ANCOVA) showed that the external attentional instruction group along with exercise with resistance socks performed better than other groups in the static equilibrium index, only in the open eye conditions (P= 0.04, η2= 0.31). These findings were repeated in the dynamic equilibrium index (P= 0.02, η2= 0.44). 

 According to the findings of present study, it is suggested to coaches and therapists to use external attentional instructions along with exercise with resistance socks during their training and modifying interventions in the water to improve the patient's static and dynamic equilibrium. However, future supplementary studies are suggested.

Iran has a large surface area of saline soil and in this condition of saline soil, crop production is involved with a lot of problems including deficiency of some nutritional elements and outcome of this problems is decreasing of quantitative and qualitative yield. For this purpose, in saline soil conditions, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of foliar spraying of selenium and boron elements, and mulches application of wheat straw and cow manure on some of sunflower properties. In order to evaluate the possibility of increasing the quantitative and qualitative yield of the product in saline soil conditions (At a depth of 0 to 60 cm, with an average electrical conductivity of 8.68 dS.m-1, pH of 7.85 and silty clay soil texture) a factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted on sunflower (Ghasem hybrid) in Khuzestan Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University in 2016. Treatments was included, three mulches (no application, wheat stubble 15 ton.ha-1 and cow manure 30 ton.ha-1), foliar spraying of selenium in the form of sodium selenite (no application, 17 and 34 mg.l-1) and boron foliar spraying in the form of boric acid (no application and 400 mg.l-1). Irrigation was done in a furrow. The traits that were studied included: seed yield, oil yield, seed protein percentage, selenium and boron content of seed, oil harvest index, seed harvest index, biological yield, number of seeds per capitulum and 1000-seed weight. The application of mulch, especially wheat mulch, in comparison with non-application of mulch, had a positive effect on most of the studied traits. The use of selenium significantly increased the content of selenium seed compared to its non-application so that the highest and lowest selenium seed content were observed in high (0.14 ppm) and low (0.12 ppm) levels of selenium foliar spraying treatments respectively. The main effect of boron foliar application were not significant on the studied traits, but its triple interaction with selenium foliar spraying and mulch on important traits such as seed yield, oil yield and harvest index were significant. Application of selenium significantly reduced the weight of 1000 seeds, so that the highest 1000-seed weight was obtained from the non-use of selenium (55.50 grams) and by increasing the concentration of selenium foliar spraying solution, 1000 seed weight (50.55 grams) decreased. The interaction effect of selenium and boron foliar spraying on seed number per capitulum was significant so that the lowest number of seeds per capitulum (1293) was obtained from non-use of selenium and boron which averaged more than 100 seeds less than other treatment compounds. The highest seed yield (6431 kg.ha-1) and oil yield (2529 kg.ha-1) showed in boron foliar spraying × wheat straw. Treatments had no significant effect on seed oil percentage (with mean of 35.78 %). The highest protein content (25/46 %) was obtained from treatment of wheat straw. Overall, in this experiment, non-selenium foliar spraying (17 mg.l-1) × boron foliar spraying (400 mg.l-1) × wheat straw mulch application had the best quantity and quality yield. According to the results obtained in saline soil conditions, the beneficial effects of wheat stubble mulch (significant increase in harvest index, number of seeds per head, grain yield and seed protein percentage compared to non- application) was more than expectation. However, suitable selenium concentration (17 mg.l-1) had beneficial effects but the higher level of selenium foliar application (34 mg.l-1) had a negative effect on quantitative and qualitative yield.

The A356 is a cast alloy which consist of aluminum, silicon and magnesium. This alloy has good strangth and ductility with excellent casting properties, high corrosion resistance and good fluidity. This alloy is wiedly used in the automotive industry, aircraft, defense industry and especially the automotive industry as a substitution of steel components. Poor wear resistance of the alloys is major limitation for their use. Friction stir processing (FSP) is a recognized surfacing technique as it overcomes the problems of fusion route surface modification methods. In this study, friction stir processing was utilized to incorporate TiO2 and graphite particles into the matrix of an A356 alloy to form surface hybrid nanocomposite. For fabrication of nanocomposite a constant tool rotation rate of 900 rpm and travel speed of 60 mm/min with a tool tilt angle of 3 degree was used. Keeping in view of the requirement for improving wear resistance of A356 alloy, friction stir processing was attempted for surface modification with TiO2 and graphite powders. SEM, metallography, hardness, nanoindentation and pin-on-disc wear testing were used for characterizing the surface of nanocomposite. Microstructural analysis showed a uniform distribution of reinforcement particles inside the nugget zone. The surface nanocomposite results in enhanced properties in mechanical properties and wear resistance compared to the behavior of the base metal. Addition of solid lubricant graphite improve tribological properties of the nanocomposite.

Dre Diz straitis one of the most risky straits of east Azarbayjian province from occurrence of slop instabilities. Given¡ the coincidence of thisstrait on the only connection pass between MARAND_JOLFA towns¡ the best way to care and keeping the security of the road¡ is identification of risky areas or zoning the risk of slop instability in this strait. For this ¡ the main data was collected then the needful layers were provided on the GIS software environment ¡later the zoning map of slop instability for zoning slop instability risk obtained in IDRISI software and on the ANN method (MLP) with 1-10-15 instruction provided ¡and the apt areas for occurrence of slop instability have been introduced in five different risk class :highest¡ high¡ medium¡ low ¡very low.And according to the result slop and distance of faulthave the greater role on the happining of slop instabilities on the strait and therefor on the Insecurityof the road.

The occurrence of slop instability on the roads and communication domains, especially in the mountainous areas, is one of the cases the causes a lot of damages on the roads of country¡and sometimes in the areas in where the slop is very sharp or the roads are more curved the occurrence of this type of natural hazards can cause death of passengers¡therefore identification of the areas which because of their natural features are more dangerous and on the other hand they are chosen for construction projects such as roads ore dams ¡ ……¡ is really important .In this article the Logistic Regression was used for identifing the dangerous areas. For the study of the image sensor on Landsat 8 oLI-TIRS were used and the effective Factors ¡ as ¡ instability slope (slope, aspect, lithology, land use, distance to fault, distance from the river, away from roads, elevation) in GIS environment survey and the most important factors was known, then the distribution layer of instability was adjusted to the hazard zonation map of slope instabilities in software Edrisi then likelihood of slop instability map was divided into five groups with very low sensitivity, low, medium, high, very high.

Introduction & Multiple hematological changes occur in patients with severe burns. One of these changes is thrombocytopenia that may occur during the treatment of extensive burns for various reasons, including infection. Daily monitoring of platelet count is important in the early detection of infection and secondary complications after extensive burns. In this study, we have evaluated the effects of escharectomy on the platelet counts and the reduction of the mortality rate of extensive burn patients. This cross-sectional study was done on 52 patients with 40-50% burn who were referred to the Shohadaye Yaft Abad hospital. Laboratory data were measured daily, especially platelet count per day were recorded. The platelet count was measured before and after escharectomy in all patients. Paired t test used to compare parametric or equivalent platelet count in both groups before and after surgery and to compare parametric independent t-test or equal to the difference between the platelets before and after surgery were analyzed between groups and all results were analyzed by SPSS 16.0 statistical software. The patients’ mean age was 29.69 ± 16.70 standard deviation. Of these 74% (38 patients) were treated and discharged, but 26% (14 people) of the population died. Given the normal distribution, independent t-test was used to compare the differences which were found to be of no significance (P = 0.091). From the results, it can be concluded that escharectomy surgery in burn patients, both cases of those who died and those who survived, increases the platelet count. But this increase was not significant in either group and can not serve as a determinant of prognosis and mortality.

The indication of the potential landslides in the area which due to geographical condition and the construction of human is prone to landslides is necessary, Ghalah Chai dam is one of these areas .In this study Analytic Network Process (ANP) Was Valuated .For this study the Image TM, 2011 Landsat was used. The maps of effective factors of landside (slope, aspect, lithology, land use, distance to fault, distance from river, distance from roads, elevation) were prepared in the GIS environment. Afterward it was crossed by the layer of sparseness of landsides and the hazard zoning maps of landside was produced in the above mentioned methods. The results showed that among eight factors effective factors, landuse, Aspect and Elevation have a greater role in the occurrence of landslides. Also comparison of the degree of fit between landslide distribution and zoning map of the mentioned method showed that, the analytic network process with 67/33% fitness better performance in identi fying risk areas in the study area.

Aloe vera is used in traditional medicine to treat hypertension. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the aqueous extract of Aloe vera (compared to Na+ nitroprusside) on the contraction of the rat isolated thoracic aorta precontracted with 20 mM potassium chloride. In this study, 18 rings isolated from the thoracic aorta of 9 Wistar rats (250-300g) were divided into three groups. On the loaded tissue, a tension less than 2 g was applied which then was precontracted with potassium chloride (20mM) in organ bath containing the carbogen-Krebs solution. Changes in aorta contractility in response to cumulative application of vehicle (group I), extract (group II: 5-50 mg/ml) and Na+ Nitroprusside (group III: 0.0001-10 μM) were measured isometrically. The results showed that although Aloe vera has a decreasing effect on the contraction induced by potassium chloride (20mM), this effect was less than the cumulative effect of Na+ nitroprusside (P<0.05). The possible antihypertensive mechanism of Aloe vera may be for reducing the contractility of vascular smooth muscle and this effect is weaker than the effect of nitroprusside. Hence, Aloe vera can be used as a potential drug for lowering the high blood pressure.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) refers to a group of rare reticuloendothelial system disorders and it occurs most often in young adults and children. A 57-year-old edentulous female patient who complained of dull pain in the posterior region of the mandible referred to the dental office, with a complaint of dull pain in the posterior region of the mandible. The lesion was diagnosed as LCH. Oral manifestations could be the first signs of Langerhans'' cell histiocytosis. Therefore, the dentist must be aware of the oral symptoms so in order that the disease is not overlooked.

Breast cancer is one of the important epidemiological problems worldwide and is the most common cancer among women. Statistics indicate that the breast cancer was significantly increased from1940. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology of breast cancer in Tabriz. In this epidemiological study, hospital and pathological documents of all patients admitted in Tabriz Hospitals were evaluated from March 2006 to September 2009. Patients with diagnosis of breast cancer were enrolled in the study. Data were analyzed by Chi-square and T-test using the statistical software SPSS-14. The results showed 1126 cases of breast cancer with a mean age of 47.13 ± 2.93 years (14- 92 years old). 1094 cases (97.15%) were female and 32 cases (2.75%) were male. Of the 1126 cases, 38.83% were in the left breast, 31.91% were in the right breast and 2.67% were bilateral. 33.26% of patients were in stage 1, 34.25% were in stage 2 and 7.9% were in stage 3. With regard to the results, t he highest prevalence of the breast cancer was among 46-50 years old women which was different from American, British, Golestan - Iran women and Kurdish women in northern Iraq.

In patients with complete denture, some clinicians have used modelling plastic impression compound (MPIC) along tissue conditioner (TC) materials simultaneously. Little information is available on the composition of these materials and the interaction between them. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of two components of MPIC on the structure and chemical composition of TC. In this experimental study, MPIC specimens were provided in 25×2 mm discs. Specimens were randomly divided into three groups and were immersed in ethanol 70%, plasticizer (dibutyl phthalate) and a mixture of them (ethanol 70% and dibutyl phthalate). All of the discs were weighed with a digital balance before and 2, 4, 6 and 24 hours after immersion. Values were analyzed by non parametric Kruskal-Wallis (α= 0.05) and SPSS 16 for Windows (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) was used for statistical analysis. Statistical analysis indicated significant differences among all groups (p>.05). Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) had high impact on the solubility of MP, while the mixture of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and ethanol demonstrated the highest impact.