The Role of Urban Agriculture Approach in Food Supply and Export Ability (Case Study of Neishabour in Iran)

The growth of cities and the increase of urban population in recent years has caused many problems for the health of the environment and citizens. On the other hand, given that urbanism is inevitable, we must think of ways to reduce the pressure on nature by cities and improve economic and social indicators in cities. Urban agriculture will play an effective role in establishing a logical relationship between urban needs and improving the economic situation. In this research, the study of the role of urban agriculture from an economic point of view, especially in the field of food supply and export ability has been emphasized. The research method is descriptive-analytical and based on collecting survey data (field). The main research tool is a questionnaire. Its validity was confirmed by elites and its reliability was confirmed by completing 30 questionnaires through Cronbach's alpha at a level greater than 0.70. The study population was 264,375 citizens living in Neishabour. The sample size was determined by Cochran's formula equal to 384 people. The results showed that urban agriculture is significant in food supply and export ability at a level of less than 0.05. The city's agriculture can be effective in improving the export of organic products, fruits and vegetables, exports of ornamental and medicinal plants, branding of products, as well as in supplying fresh vegetables, providing healthy food, improving the quality of nutrition and protein. Urban agriculture has a significant level of less than 0.05 in urban development indicators such as improving the urban environment, improving employment, improving citizens' incomes, creating attractive urban spaces, rainwater consumption, etc. From the people's point of view, it is possible to cultivate crops such as peaches, Damask rose, poultry breeding, etc., according to the available spaces. The study of the role of urban agriculture through structural equations shows that the total effect is 0.81 and in total urban agriculture can explain about 56% of the variance of role-playing and two variables of meeting food needs and export ability

T-helper Type 1 and 2 Cytokine Levels in Patients with Benign and Malignant Salivary Gland Tumors

ABSTRACT Background: Salivary gland tumors are among malignancies that have high recurrence rate. Immune responses in salivary gland tumors have not been well elucidated. T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th2 cytokines have been reported to play a role in the outcome of head and neck cancers. Objective: To evaluate the serum levels of interferon gamma (IFN-γ), as the hallmark of Th1 cytokines, and interleukin-4 (IL-4), as the hallmark of Th2 cytokines, in patients with benign and malignant salivary gland tumors in comparison with healthy controls. Methods: Fifty patients with benign and 14 patients with malignant salivary gland tumors, as well as 23 healthy individuals were recruited. Serum levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 were measured using ELISA method. Nonparametric tests were used for data analysis. Results: Serum levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 were found not to be significantly different in patients compared to the control group (0.68 ± 0.29 vs. 1.03 ± 0.57 pg/ml, p=0.58 for IFN-γ, 4.57 ± 1.57 vs. 4.41 ± 1.31 pg/ml, p=0.28 for IL-4). IFN-γ and IL-4 serum levels were also not significantly different between patients with benign and malignant salivary gland tumors (p=0.54 and p=0.86, respectively). Conclusion: The systemic levels of IL-4 and IFN-γ seem not to be associated with salivary gland tumor in our study. Investigation of other cytokines produced by Th1 and Th2 cells are warranted

Understanding the Methodological Process of Formation and Evolution of Scientific Empiricism in the Philosophy of West

The current paper evaluates the transformation of methodological approaches and perspectives of early centuries of the modern era scientism to fundamental change in the philosophical views of the west in the form of postmodern attitudes. Thus, on the one hand, the evolution in crude empiricism and its transition to positivism, logical positivism and how to transition from positivism to falsifiability will be evaluated. On the other hand, we address the transformation of positivism and falsifiability attitudes and thinking into macro structures and attitudes in the form of Imre and Lakatos research program and Thomas Kuhn's paradigm and finally, Feyerabend anarchist approach. Then, we will continue with a brief overview of how to shape the post-modern approaches as the outcome of fundamental change in the attitude of philosophy in the West. Of course, we try to avoid getting into the details of the views, as far as possible because the main focus of this paper is on the analysis of the evolution of the methodological perspectives of "Scientism (Philosophy of science)" to postmodernism

Correlation of Circulating Omentin-1 with Bone Mineral Density in Multiple Sclerosis: The Crosstalk between Bone and Adipose Tissue

BACKGROUND: Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are at increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Adipose tissue-derived adipokines may play important roles in the osteoimmunology of MS. In order to determine whether omentin-1 and vaspin may be related to bone health in MS patients, we compared circulating levels of these recently identified adipokines, between MS patients and healthy controls. METHODS: A total of 35 ambulatory MS patients with relapsing-remitting courses were compared with 38 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Bone mineral density (BMD) was determined for the lumbar spine (L2-L4) and the proximal femur using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Circulating omentin-1, vaspin, osteocalcin, osteopontin, osteoprotegerin, the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand, matrix metalloproteinase 9, C-reactive protein and 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels were evaluated by highly specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding bone-related cytokines, adipocytokines, and the BMD measurements of patients with MS and the healthy controls. However, in multiple regression analysis, serum omentin-1 levels were positively correlated with BMD at the femoral neck (β = 0.49, p = 0.016), total hip (β = 0.42, p = 0.035), osteopontin (β = 0.42, p = 0.030) and osteocalcin (β = 0.53, p = 0.004) in MS patients. No correlations were found between vaspin, biochemical, and BMD measures in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated omentin-1 serum levels are correlated with BMD at the femoral neck and the serum levels of osteocalcin and osteopontin in MS patients. Therefore, there is crosstalk between adipose tissue and bone in MS

The Role of Urban Agriculture Approach in Food Supply and Export Ability (Case Study of Neishabour in Iran)

The growth of cities and the increase of urban population in recent years has caused many problems for the health of the environment and citizens. On the other hand, given that urbanism is inevitable, we must think of ways to reduce the pressure on nature by cities and improve economic and social indicators in cities. Urban agriculture will play an effective role in establishing a logical relationship between urban needs and improving the economic situation. In this research, the study of the role of urban agriculture from an economic point of view, especially in the field of food supply and export ability has been emphasized. The research method is descriptive-analytical and based on collecting survey data (field). The main research tool is a questionnaire. Its validity was confirmed by elites and its reliability was confirmed by completing 30 questionnaires through Cronbach's alpha at a level greater than 0.70. The study population was 264,375 citizens living in Neishabour. The sample size was determined by Cochran's formula equal to 384 people. The results showed that urban agriculture is significant in food supply and export ability at a level of less than 0.05. The city's agriculture can be effective in improving the export of organic products, fruits and vegetables, exports of ornamental and medicinal plants, branding of products, as well as in supplying fresh vegetables, providing healthy food, improving the quality of nutrition and protein. Urban agriculture has a significant level of less than 0.05 in urban development indicators such as improving the urban environment, improving employment, improving citizens' incomes, creating attractive urban spaces, rainwater consumption, etc. From the people's point of view, it is possible to cultivate crops such as peaches, Damask rose, poultry breeding, etc., according to the available spaces. The study of the role of urban agriculture through structural equations shows that the total effect is 0.81 and in total urban agriculture can explain about 56% of the variance of role-playing and two variables of meeting food needs and export ability.El crecimiento de las ciudades y el aumento de la población urbana en los últimos años ha provocado muchos problemas para la salud del medio ambiente y de los ciudadanos. Por otro lado, dado que el urbanismo es inevitable, debemos pensar en formas de reducir la presión sobre la naturaleza por parte de las ciudades y mejorar los indicadores económicos y sociales en las ciudades. La agricultura urbana desempeñará un papel eficaz en el establecimiento de una relación lógica entre las necesidades urbanas y la mejora de la situación económica. En esta investigación se ha enfatizado el estudio del papel de la agricultura urbana desde un punto de vista económico, especialmente en el campo del suministro de alimentos y la capacidad exportadora. El método de investigación es descriptivo-analítico y se basa en la recopilación de datos de encuestas (campo). La principal herramienta de investigación es un cuestionario. Su validez fue confirmada por las élites y su confiabilidad fue confirmada al completar 30 cuestionarios a través del alfa de Cronbach en un nivel superior a 0,70. La población del estudio fue de 264 375 ciudadanos que vivían en Neishabour. El tamaño de la muestra se determinó mediante la fórmula de Cochran igual a 384 personas. Los resultados mostraron que la agricultura urbana es significativa en el suministro de alimentos y la capacidad de exportación a un nivel inferior a 0,05. La agricultura de la ciudad puede ser eficaz para mejorar la exportación de productos orgánicos, frutas y verduras, la exportación de plantas ornamentales y medicinales, la marca de productos, así como en el suministro de verduras frescas, proporcionar alimentos saludables, mejorar la calidad de la nutrición y las proteínas. La agricultura urbana tiene un nivel significativo de menos de 0,05 en indicadores de desarrollo urbano como mejora del entorno urbano, mejora del empleo, mejora de los ingresos de los ciudadanos, creación de espacios urbanos atractivos, consumo de agua de lluvia, etc. Desde el punto de vista de las personas, es posible cultivar cultivos como melocotón, rosa de Damasco, cría de aves, etc., según los espacios disponibles. El estudio del papel de la agricultura urbana a través de ecuaciones estructurales muestra que el efecto total es 0,81 y en la agricultura urbana total puede explicar alrededor del 56% de la varianza del juego de roles y dos variables de satisfacción de las necesidades alimentarias y capacidad de exportación

DataSheet1_Assessing compatibility, tansesterification, and disintegration of PET/PLA fiber blend in composting conditions.docx

To recycle a blend of PET and PLA, understanding the challenging issues and crucial parameters that affect the properties and morphology of the blend is key to successful recycling. So, the main focus of this study was to investigate the parameters that influence the processability, compatibility, morphology, properties, and disintegration of PET/PLA blend fibers. Using surface tension measurements, acceptable adhesion between the two components was observed. SEM results showed that the PET/PLA blend fibers have a microfibrillar morphology. Based on 1H NMR analysis, the exchange reaction resulted in a block copolymer. The crystallization process in the fibers became more difficult as the PLA content increased due to the formation of copolymers through transesterification. The presence of oriented crystals in the melt-spun fiber blend was confirmed by X-ray diffraction patterns. As the PLA content increased, the tensile strength of the blends decreased gradually. Furthermore, the sample containing 20 wt% PLA exhibited the highest dimensional stability. The disintegration process in composting conditions for PET was improved by PLA.</p

Design, cloning and expression assay of oipA gene in a bicistronic vector harboring mice IL-18 gene: potential implications for Helicobacter pylori vaccine investigations

Introduction: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has remained as a global health problem. Animal studies demonstrated the role of H. pylori oipA gene in the development of gastric cancer. The aim of this study was the cloning and expression of Helicobacter pylori oipA gene in a bicistronic vector harboring mice IL-18 gene. Materials and methods: The target gene encoding oipA was amplified from a codon-optimized clone by PCR, and then double-digested by restriction enzymes. The pIRES-Igk/mIL18/Fc plasmid was simultaneously digested by BstXI/NotI enzymes to elicit the eGFP segment. PCR product of oipA was inserted into pIRES-Igk/mIL18/Fc plasmid using T4 ligase. Transformation into DH5α strain was done. Cloning was confirmed by PCR, enzymatic digestion and sequencing. Expression of the oipA and IL-18 mRNA was assessed by means of TaqMan Real-time PCR. Results: Electrophoresis of PCR product, enzymatic digestion and sequencing showed that the H. pylori oipA gene was successfully cloned into pIRES-Igk/mIL18/Fc to generate mIL-18-pIRES2-oipA plasmid. The results of Real-time PCR confirmed the successful expression of both oipA and IL-18 in mouse macrophage cell line. Conclusion: Considering the role of oipA in pathogenesis of H. pylori and potent activity of IL-18 as a molecular adjuvant, the results of the present study showed that the expression of codon-optimized oipA gene in bicistronic vector including mouse IL-18 is successful. So, it could be considered as an appropriate genetic vaccine candidate for H. pylori in future investigations