Leaves Polymorphism and Fruit Shapes Variation of Sorbus Torminalis (L.) Crantz in Hyrcanian Forest

Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz as a rare native species in Iran which grows between 70 to 2400 meters high sea level in Guilan province. Sorbus torminalis with yellow autumn color and edible fruit make it as a multipurpose tree for future. The objective of this study was to investigate the morphology type of leaves and fruits shape. Four observation sites were selected in different elevation. The leaves samples were collected at 6 meters height of tree in north and south aspect. Leaves width, leaves length and petiole were measured. Due to scarce fruit, nearly 2 Kg fruit were collected from 6 trees in each site. Fruit shape was distinguished through visual examination of 600 fruits. Length and width of fruit was measured. Obtained results were showed that the Sorbus torminalis revealed high polymorphism in leaves shape. Two distinct Sorbus torminalis fruit type were observed spheroid (apple shape) and ellipsoid (pear shape) rounded. The highest mean value of fruit length was 12.47mm from Gardelehposht site was significantly different with the other studies sites. The highest mean value of fruit width was 9.97mm from Janbehsara site which was highly significant difference with other studies site. This study was the first step in fulfilling the criteria enabling characterization and assessment of variability which facilitate Sorbus torminalis germplasm recognition and exchange

Primary Conceptual Metaphor as a Mean of Intercultural Communication

Исследование посвящено анализу роли мономодальной и мультимодальной метафоры в современной коммуникации, а также принципов визуализации концептуальных метафор в полимодальном дискурсе. При помощи использования теории концептуальной метафоры и концепции визуальной грамматики на примере современной рекламы выявлены первичные концептуальные метафоры и принципы построения, применяемые в процессе создания дискурсивных элементов.The study is devoted to the analysis of the role of monomodal and multimodal metaphor in modern communication, as well as the principles of visualization of conceptual metaphors in polymodal discourse. With the help of the theory of conceptual metaphor and the concepts of visual grammar the primary conceptual metaphors and construction principles used in the process of creating discursive elements are identified on the example of modern advertising

Punching Shear Characterization of Steel Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Flat Slabs

Punching shear failure in thin slabs under concentrated loads can cause shear stresses near columns. The use of steel fiber is a practical way to improve a slab-column connection's punching strength and deformation capacity. In this study, the capacity and behavior of steel fiber-reinforced concrete flat slabs are examined under punching shear force. Ten small-scale flat slabs were tested, eight of which had steel fiber and two without. Two parameters are studied in this paper, which are the fiber volume ratio (from 0% to 2%) and the stub column load shape (circle and square). The test results include the concrete compressive strength, crack patterns, punching shear, and load-defection behavior of the slabs. Based on the experimental results, it was found that the punching shear capacity of slabs with steel fiber (S5) increased by 21.8% compared to slabs without steel fiber (S1), and the slabs with steel fiber had more ductility compared to the slabs without fiber. Doi: 10.28991/HIJ-2022-03-04-08 Full Text: PD

The Relationship of Sperm Motility Pattern and Its Ability to Agglutinate with Vaginal Sperm Selection, Uptake in Sperm Storage Tubules and Competitiveness

To ensure survival, some unique features can be distinguished in birds that help them maintain reproduction. These features include the ability to store sperm for long periods within the utero-vaginal junction, a high sperm concentration per ejaculate, and polyspermy fertilization. Sperm face many challenges prior to fertilization. After copulation, most ejaculated sperm exit the female reproductive tract, and less than 1% continue in an attempt to achieve fertilization. In addition, egg size is substantially larger than sperm size because of the presence of the egg yolk. This results in a large number of sperm penetrating the egg away from the oocyte. These challenges have triggered evolutionary changes to maintain the existence of many species, such as the enormous relative size of the testis, which produces billions of sperm each day, and the ability to store viable sperm for long periods in the oviduct to ensure asynchronous fertilization. This chapter discusses several contemporary and sometimes controversial points regarding sperm behavior and their storage in the oviduct

Assessment of seminal plasma laminin in fertile and infertile men

Abstract Aim: To assess laminin levels in the seminal plasma of infertile and fertile men, and to analyze the correlation of laminin levels with sperm count, age, sperm motility and semen volume. Methods: One hundred and twenty-five recruited men were equally divided into five groups according to their sperm concentration and clinical examination: fertile normozoospermia, oligoasthenozoospermia, non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), obstructive azoospermia (OA) and congenital bilateral absent vas deferens (CBAVD). The patients' medical history was investigated and patients underwent clinical examination, conventional semen analysis and estimation of seminal plasma laminin by radioimmunoassay. Results: Seminal plasma laminin levels of successive groups were: 2.82 ± 0.62, 2.49 ± 0.44, 1.77 ± 0.56, 1.72 ± 0.76, 1.35 ± 0.63 U/mL, respectively. The fertile normozoospermic group showed the highest concentration compared to all infertile groups with significant differences compared to azoospermic groups (P < 0.05). Testicular contribution was estimated to be approximately one-third of the seminal laminin. Seminal plasma laminin demonstrated significant correlation with sperm concentration (r = 0.460, P < 0.001) and nonsignificant correlation with age (r = 0.021, P = 0.940), sperm motility percentage (r = 0.142, P = 0.615) and semen volume (r = 0.035, P = 0.087). Conclusion: Seminal plasma laminin is derived mostly from prostatic and testicular portions and minimally from the seminal vesicle and vas deferens. Estimating seminal laminin alone is not conclusive in diagnosing different cases of male infertility. (Asian J Androl 2007 Jan; 9: 63-67