A new applicable model of Iran rural e-commerce development

AbstractThe significant impact of e-commerce (EC) on the livelihood or rural populations in developing countries like Iran has made this topic of popular interest to many researchers in the past decade.To take advantage of e-commerce, employing suitable models which are adaptive to the circumstances of villages in rural areas is indispensable. Iran is on track for achieving this goal, development of EC in Rural areas.Considering the importance of sharing rural ICT experiences, the trend and experiences of the Rural EC infrastructure in Iran are demonstrated in this paper. According to our research, Iran’s rural ICT network development started in 2000 with the far northern village of Shahkooh which is known as the first multi-media center of Iran. In 2004, Iran national strategic plan of Rural ICT built two well-equipped telecentres near the villages of East Livan and Gharnabad. Taking availability of data and the duration of operation al time to account, these two telecenters were selected for this paper. In 2005, UNESCO Tehran Cluster Office was empowered to carry out a study on the economic and social effect of rural ICTs to share with others, acting in this field at regional and social levels. In fact, in order to find applicable and durable solutions for economic, social and environmental problems, these projects were carried out in the rural areas of Iran.In this paper, a practical model of e-commerce for rural areas of Iran is proposed. Our research is based on quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The qualitative methods comprised of open-ended interviews with officials and telecentre operators. The proposed model is related to the national project known as “10000 Rural ICT Center” which was started in the year 2004. In this project, Rural EC services are part of the IT application services at the Rural ICT Centers which supply four services; Communication Services, IT services, Postal Services and E-Banking services

Task allocation to actors in wireless sensor actor networks: an energy and time aware technique

AbstractTask allocation is a critical issue in proper engineering of cooperative applications in embedded systems with latency and energy constraints, as in wireless sensor and actor networks (WSANs). Existing task allocation algorithms are mostly concerned with energy savings and ignore time constraints and thus increase the makespan of tasks in the network as well as the probability of malfunctioning of the network. In this paper we take both energy awareness and reduction of actor tasks’ times to completion in WSANs into account and propose a two-phase task allocation technique based on Queuing theory. In the first phase, tasks are equally assigned to actors just to measure the capability of each actor to perform the assigned tasks. Tasks are then allocated to actors according to their measured capabilities in such a way to reduce the total completion times of all tasks in the network. The results of simulations on typical scenarios shows 45% improvement in the makespan of tasks in a network compared to the wellknown opportunistic load balancing (OLB) task allocation algorithm that is generally used in distributed systems. It is shown that our algorithms provide better tradeoffs between load balancing and completion times of all tasks in a WSAN compared to OLB

Study of proteome pattern of Pseudomonas fluorescens strain UTPF68 in interaction with Trichoderma atroviride strain P1 and tomato

Saprophitic Pseudomonas species are root-colonizing bacteria that can improve plant health. Efficient exploitation of these bacteria in agriculture requires knowledge of traits that enhance ecological performance in the rhizosphere. Some Pseudomonas fluorescens strains present biocontrol properties, protecting the roots of some plant species against plant pathogens. These bacteria induce systemic resistance in the host plant, so it can better resist attack by a true pathogen. The bacteria outcompete other (pathogenic) soil microbes, e.g., by siderophores, giving a competitive advantage at scavenging for iron. The bacteria produce compounds antagonistic to other soil microbes, such as phenazine - type antibiotics or hydrogen cyanide. In this study  the changes in the protein profile of P. fluorescens strain UTPF68, involved in the multiple interactions between plant (tomato) and an antagonistic agent (Trichoderma atroviride strain P1) investigated. Two-dimensional electrophoresis was used to analyze separately collected proteins from each one, two or three partner interactions. The results about differential produced spots in Pseudomonas proteome in each collation, showed that 18 differential spots became visible as new, 16 spots were absent, 17 spots were up-regulated and 1 spot was down-regulated, when Tomato-Pseudomonas (TP) condition was compared with control Pseudomonas alone (P). Also more than 84 differential spots were accumulated in proteome of Pseuodomonas due to the presence of Trichoderma, as new, absent, increased and decreased spots. By comparison of conditions revealed 2 protein spots that detected by MS, have newly expressed in present of Plant and Trichoderma. These proteins corresponded to arginine deiminase of P. putida GB-1 and Chaperonin GroEL protein of P. putida S16 that their expressions associated to stress condition.The results indicated that the presence of Plant and Trichoderma induces major changes in the protein profile of Pseudomonas

Vegetative compatibility, host range and pathogenicity of Verticillium dahliae isolates in Iran

Verticillium wilt is an economically important disease which inflicts serious losses in potato, cotton, alfalfa, some vegetable crops and fruit trees and occasionally ornamentals. V. dahliae, infected cultivated species and weeds were collected from several areas in Iran during twelve years from 1993-2005 and studied for their vegetative compatibility, host range and pathogenicity. The pathogen was isolated from 27 species belonging to 24 genera and 15 families of plants but was most frequently isolated from Solanaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Oleaceae and Rosaceae hosts. The morphology of V. dahliae isolates on Czapecks agar and water agar media were different especially for micosclerotial appearance time (4-19 days), pigmented zone of colony (37.8-48.33 mm) and microsclerotial morphology (abundant, irregular and elongated shaped or more spherical and scattered). The ratio index of length/width of conidia ranged between 2.32 and 2.70 micrometer with an average of 2.43 + 0.11. Temperature influenced the radial growth ratio of the isolates and the growth response of V. dahliae isolates to temperature in vitro was quadratic. All isolates were categorized in three groups based on pathogenicity tests on differential test plants (cotton cv. Sahel and aubergine cv. local). A total of 548 V. dahliae isolates from different locations and hosts were assigned to vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) using nitrate-nonutilizing (nit) mutants. A higher frequency of nit1/nit3 mutants (93%) were obtained compared to nitM (7%). Approximately 51.1% of the isolates were assigned to VCG4B, 25.9% to VCG2A and 23% to VCG1. The results demonstrated that V. dahliae isolates assigned to VCGs were closely associated with specific pathogenicity within the group/diverse

Biological Control of Rhizoctonia solani AG1-1A, the Causal Agent of Rice Sheath Blight with Trichoderma Strains

Sheath blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani is one of the most serious rice diseases worldwide. The disease is currently managed only by the excessive application of chemical fungicides which are toxic and not environmentally friendly. Therefore, greater emphasis should be given to biological control as being both safe and effective. Trichoderma species are ubiquitous fungi in the soil and have an antagonistic activity against several soil-borne plant pathogens including R. solani. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the potential of indigenous Trichoderma strains from Mazandaran province, Northern Iran (a Mediterranean region on the southern coast of the Caspian Sea) against R. solani AG1-IA  in vitro, and against sheath blight disease in the glasshouse, in order to find biocontrol isolates for application in the field. More than 200 Trichoderma strains were isolated from the soil, plant debris and the phyllosphere in rice felds. Strains were first screened for their antagonism to R. solani by in vitro antagonism tests including dual culture, antibiosis, the effect of Trichoderma strains on the production and viability of R. solani sclerotia, and hyperparasitism on microscopic slides. According to the in vitro experiments, several strains belonging to T. harzianum, T. virens and T. atroviride showed excellent biocontrol. These potential antagonist strains were further evaluated for their effectiveness in controlling sheath blight under glasshouse conditions. Among the 55 selected strains, seven significantly controlled the disease. T. harzianum AS12-2 was the most effective strain in controlling rice sheath blight, better even than propiconazole, the most commonly used fungicide in Iran

Task allocation approach for minimizing make-span in wireless sensor actor networks

Wireless Sensor Actor Networks (WSANs) have contributed to the development of pervasive computing wherein time consideration to perform the tasks of pervasive applications is necessary. Hence, time constraint is one of the major challenges of WSANs. In this paper, we propose an analytical approach based on queuing theory to minimize the total time taken for completion of tasks, i.e., make-span, in WSANs with hybrid architecture. The best allocation rates of tasks to actor nodes are figured out through solving inequities and qualities resulting from a steady state analysis of the proposed model. Applying the calculated tasks arrival rates at each of the actors, the make-span could be minimized. To assess the accuracy of the tasks assignment rates to each of the actors attained from the suggested analytical approach and to provide a graphical representation of the WSAN a formal model in terms of the generalized stochastic Petri net (GSPN) is presented. The proposed GSPN model is analyzed, tasks distribution weights to the actors are determined, and then tasks allocation rates can be computed. Comparing the results achieved from the analytical approach and the GSPN model demonstrates that allocation rates and hence, the make-span figured out from proposed approach and the formal model are the same. Experimental results in typical scenarios show shorter make-span and longer network lifetime compared to when one of the two popular traditional task allocation algorithms, namely, opportunistic load balancing (OLB), and stochastic allocation (SA) algorithms, is used. © 2021 CRL Publishing. All rights reserved

Biological control of Rhizoctonia solani AG1-1A, the causal agent of rice sheath blight with Trichoderma strains

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sheath blight caused by <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rhizoctonia solani</em> is one of the most serious rice diseases worldwide. The disease is currently managed only by the excessive application of chemical fungicides which are toxic and not environmentally friendly. Therefore, greater emphasis should be given to biological control as being both safe and effective. <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Trichoderma</em> species are ubiquitous fungi in the soil and have an antagonistic activity against several soil-borne plant pathogens including <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">R. solani</em>. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the potential of indigenous <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Trichoderma</em> strains from Mazandaran province, Northern Iran (a Mediterranean region on the southern coast of the Caspian Sea) against <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">R. solani</em> AG1-IA<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>in vitro, and against sheath blight disease in the glasshouse, in order to find biocontrol isolates for application in the field. More than 200 <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Trichoderma</em> strains were isolated from the soil, plant debris and the phyllosphere in rice felds. Strains were first screened for their antagonism to <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">R. solani</em> by in vitro antagonism tests including dual culture, antibiosis, the effect of <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Trichoderma</em> strains on the production and viability of <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">R. solani</em> sclerotia, and hyperparasitism on microscopic slides. According to the in vitro experiments, several strains belonging to <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">T. harzianum</em>, <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">T. virens</em> and <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">T. atroviride</em> showed excellent biocontrol. These potential antagonist strains were further evaluated for their effectiveness in controlling sheath blight under glasshouse conditions. Among the 55 selected strains, seven significantly controlled the disease. <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">T. harzianum</em> AS12-2 was the most effective strain in controlling rice sheath blight, better even than propiconazole, the most commonly used fungicide in Iran.</span></span></span></p

Evaluation of Two Facial Nerve Landmarks Frequency in Parotidectomy

Background & Aim: Various landmarks are discussed to find the facial nerve during parotid surgery. The surgeon should use existing landmarks for a safe surgical use. To evaluate two new landmarks in parotid surgery, this study was done. Methods & Materials/Patients: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 43 patients with parotid masses, whom were referred to Alzahra and Kashani tertiary hospitals in 2013. In a parotid surgery, the greater auricular nerve was detected; then the greater auricular nerve and facial nerve diameter were measured by the compass with precision of 0.1 millimeter and recorded. After facial nerve exploration, if the other landmarks of vascular and tail signs are detected, they are recorded in the files. Results: This study contained 43 patients, 22 men and 21 women. There were 21 (48.8%) masses in deep lobes and others on superficial lobes. In 36 cases (83.7%), vascular signs were observed. In 23 cases (53.5%), tail signs were found. The diameter of facial nerve was 2.647(±4641) mm (minimum: 2 mm and maximum: 4 mm). The diameter of greater auricular nerve was 2.691(±4545) mm (minimum: 2 mm and maximum: 4 mm). By paired T-test, there was no significant difference between the diameter of facial and greater auricular nerves. Of all cases, 76.7% had differences less than 0.5 mm. Conclusion: This study showed that greater auricular nerve can be used as a proper graft for facial nerve, and we can use “vascular sign” as a good indicator of facial nerve