Sustainable forest management in Iran: a factor analysis

Since 1996, several Forest Resources Management Plans (FRMPs) have been launched by the Iranian government in order to approach sustainable forest management in the Zagros area in west and south-west Iran. This survey study aimed to provide some policy recommendations in order to launch more successful FRMPs. Using a proportional cluster random sampling method, data were collected from 208 forest-dwellers (beneficiaries) and 90 practitioners. The results showed that the FRMPs are far from satisfactory. There are several reasons for this failure. First, the financial resources allocated to these plans are being used for other purposes. Second, the inputs and supplies needed for effective forest management interventions were not in place in a timely manner. Third, the forest management in the area is far from being decentralized. Both the beneficiaries and practitioners believe that forest-dwellers play a weak role in forest management interventions. Factor analysis revealed that three main factors influencing the Zagros management effectiveness are "the management capabilities of forest-dwellers", "the professional capabilities of practitioners in forest management", and "public support for forest-dwellers". The correlation analysis revealed that all the three factors are also positively and significantly associated with the success of the government's forestry programs. Accordingly, the main recommendation of this study was to reformulate forest management policies in the Zagros area by highlighting participatory approaches, not only as a tool, but also as a goal of FRMPs

Generalization of non-commuting graph of a finite group

In this paper we define the generalized non-commuting graph Γ(H,K,L) where H, K and L are three subgroups of a non-abelian group G. Take (H∪K∪L)\CH(K∪L)∪CK∪L(H) as the vertices of the graph and two distinct vertices x and y join, whenever x or y is in H and [x, y] 6= 1. We obtain diameter and girth of this graph. Also, we discuss the dominating set and planarity of Γ(H,K,L). Moreover, we try to find a connection between Γ(H,K,L) and the relative commutativity degree of three subgroups d(H, K ∪L).Publisher's Versio

The Role of Religious Presuppositions and Precomprehensions in Selecting Narratives Related to the Cause of Revelation (Asbab al-Nuzul)

Abstract The narratives of the cause of revelation (Asbab al-Nuzul) play a decisive role in the interpretation of Quranic verses. On the other hand, when coming across with these narratives, presuppositions, and precomprehensions play an important role in selecting them.   This research tries to study the narratives of the cause of revelation in the Tafsir al Munir fi al Aqidah wa al Shariah wa al Manhaj (by Karya Wahbah al Zuhaili) and explain the role of Wahbah al Zuhaili’s religious presuppositions and precomprehensions in selecting narratives related to the cause of revelation (Asbab al-Nuzul). This study uses library research method that has been discussing the subject with a descriptive-analytical approach. This research shows that in many cases, Wahbah al Zuhaili has been influenced by religious presuppositions and precomprehenstion and has used them to develop his interpretative goals. Keywords: Wahbah al Zuhaili, Tafsir al-Munir, Asbab an-Nuzul &nbsp

A system dynamics model to determine products mix

This paper presents an implementation of system dynamics model to determine appropriate product mix by considering various factors such as labor, materials, overhead, etc. for an Iranian producer of cosmetic and sanitary products. The proposed model of this paper considers three hypotheses including the relationship between product mix and profitability, optimum production capacity and having minimum amount of storage to take advantage of low cost production. The implementation of system dynamics on VENSIM software package has confirmed all three hypotheses of the survey and suggested that in order to reach better mix product, it is necessary to reach optimum production planning, take advantage of all available production capacities and use inventory management techniques

Wireless sensor network for small-scale farming systems in southwest Iran : application of Q-methodology to investigate farmers’ perceptions

The application of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) has been promoted worldwide as an approach to smart farming, sustainable resource management and improved crop productivity. Despite their promotion, WSNs are not widely adopted in the whole world, especially by small-scale farmers. The adoption of WSN technologies is strongly affected by the perceptions of farmers who are the main users and potential adopters of such technology. Yet, the way WSN technology is perceived has been poorly studied. This study aims at closing this gap by investigating the small-scale farmers’ perception regarding the application of WSNs for farming systems in Khuzestan Province, Iran. This research employed Q-methodology, an approach that integrates both qualitative and quantitative data allowing to study individuals’ subjective understandings of a specific topic. The Q-sort procedure was performed in the field with twenty-five small-scale cereal farmers (with less than 2 ha of land). Next Q-factor analyses were conducted using the PQMethod software. Results propose to group farmers along with four types of perceptions regarding the application of WSNs, namely support-seekers, resistance-adherents, optimists and adoptive-adherents. These four groups cover 67% of the variance across perceptions. Various perceptions have shown that farmers have different views on WSN applications. Awareness of these perceptions can provide a valuable frame for policy and decision-makers, and allow for addressing the farmers’ concerns and for developing appropriate and specific strategies for each group

Effect of Nettle Extract and Pumpkin Seed on Prostate Specific Antigen and Urinary Symptoms in Patients Taking Alfa-blocker for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Introduction: We aimed to compare the effect of nettle extract and pumpkin seed on Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) and international prostate symptoms score (IPSS) in patients taking alfa-blocker for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Materials and Methods: For this purpose, 90 outpatients were studied in three groups, including men over 40 years of age with benign prostatic enlargement. The first group (Urtidin) contained consumers of nettle extract from Barijessence Company called Urtidin tablets with tamsulosin; the second group took tablets containing pumpkin seed extract called Prosta Barij and tamsulosin; the third group (Control) received only tamsulosin for three months. Patients were not randomly assigned to the groups PSA, IPSS, and related factors were evaluated and analyzed using SPSS software. Results: 89 patients completed the study (30/89 in Urtidin group with a mean age of 62.4±7.39 years, 29/89 in Prosta Barij group with a mean age of 65.9±7.32 years, and 30/89 in the control group with a mean age of 64.7±8.64 years). The results showed that nettle and pumpkin seed extracts affect PSA in patients taking tamsulosin for BPH. Also, after the intervention, IPSS had a significant decrease compared with baseline in both drug treatment groups. There was no significant difference in these three types of treatment. Conclusion: It seems that the desired herbal products did not have a synergistic effect with alpha blockers in the control and treatment of BPH but they can affect the serum PSA level