m. barzegar

Acute attacks of epidemics and the physical risk have severe adverse psychological side-effects on post covid patients. Most importantly, COVID-19 survivors who experienced fear for survival are vulnerable to post-traumatic stress symptoms. The present study aimed to determine effectiveness of online compassion-focused therapy in reducing the severity of post-traumatic stress symptoms, increasing post-traumatic growth and studying the changes in hippocampus and amygdala volume in recovered patients infected with the corona virus in Shiraz and in It was done in 1401.

The present study was conducted between May 2021 and July 2022 among patients with delta variant COVID-19 in Fars province, Iran. The study’s statistical population included 40 patients with hospitalized history on delta variant (Covid-19) diagnosed with post-traumatic stress symptoms, who were purposefully sampled in two experimental groups (40 people) and control groups (20 people). The control group received standard treatment during this period. Inclusion criteria were not having specific mental disorders, being literate in reading and writing, suffering from corona disease. Exclusion criteria were not fully attending Psychotherapy classes, having a mental disorder. The participants responded to the Tedeschi and Calhoun's post-traumatic growth and development questionnaire, PCL-5 post-traumatic stress disorder questionnaire. The researchers measured the volumes of hippocampus and corpus amygdaloideum (amygdaloid body), The 1.5 T MRI was taken at oblique coronal plane using a section thickness of 3 mm without any gap. The researchers correspondingly investigated right-left volume differences for hippocampus and corpus amygdaloideum. For data analysis, multivariate analysis of covariance, univariate analysis of covariance, mean and standard deviation were used.

it was indicated thatSelf-compassion psychotherapy had a significant effect on post traumatic growth (p<0.001, F=62.548) and reducing post-traumatic stress (F=103.335, p<0.001). Furthermore, the volume of the hippocampus and amygdala of the compassion therapy group increased in the post-test phase (F=21.995, p<0.001).

Psychosocial interventions that promote more informed and organized rumination about the pandemic and enhance posttraumatic growth in response to prior traumatic events can help facilitate positive psychological changes associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in post-chronic patients. slow down and also planning psychotherapy strategies in crises through telemedicine and online services should be taken into consideration.

Rosa damascena Mill. essential oil (EO) was encapsulated in nanoliposomes to overcome its low stability and limited solubility. The fabrication of EO-loaded nanoliposomes (EO-LNLs) was optimized based on the response surface methodology (RSM) with central composite face-centred (CCF) design. Different concentrations of EO (500, 1000, and 1500 ppm) and lecithin (0.5, 1.25, and 2% w/v) were applied for preparing nanoliposomes. The obtained nanoliposomes had a particle size of 82-124 nm, a zeta potential of -55 to -30 mV and a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.270- 0.342. The nanoliposomes prepared with 1.56% lecithin and 500 ppm of EO had the best properties with the encapsulation efficiency of 84%. The results obtained from different instrumental methods (DSC, FT-IR, and TEM) verified the encapsulation of EO in nanoliposomes. According to the antioxidant activity evaluations based on DPPH⁰, ABTS⁰+, and FRAP assays, free EO had higher radical scavenging activity and lower EC50 than encapsulated EO. The highest in vitro release of EO from nanoliposomes occurred at pH=3. During the storage of nanoliposomes for seven weeks at 4oC, their particle size was increased by 7.0%. Accordingly, one can deduce that encapsulation of Rosa damascena Mill. EO in nanoliposomes can protect it against undesirable conditions and keep its properties. Therefore, it can be suggested to be used, as a natural preservative, in different matrixes such as food, medicine, and cosmetic industries.

In this study, a combination of petrographic and major element geochemistry of siliciclastic deposits of Lower Permian Doroud Formation in the Zal section in south of Jolfa has been used to investigate the provenance, tectonic setting and paleo-weathering. The thickness of Doroud Formation in Zal section is 112 m consisting of micro conglomerate, red sandstone and shale. Thirteen samples of sorted and medium grained sandstones were examined by point-counting method and 6 samples were examined for determination of their major elements by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) method. The studied samples are frequently sublithic-arenite in composition. The study of the amount and type of monocrystalline and polycrystalline quartz and using of discrimination function, indicate that the parent rocks of these deposits are predominantly metamorphic, felsic igneous rocks as well as sedimentary recycled. The presence of chert in petrographic studies has also confirmed the effect of sedimentary recycling from older formations. Petrographic and geochemical studies also indicate the cratonic origin and tectonic setting of the passive continental margin at the time of sediment deposition of the Doroud Formation. Determination of chemical index of alteration (CIA) indicates intense weathering and humid climate in the provenance area, which is consistent with the paleogeography of the Iran in Permian. It seems that factors such as the a long-distance transport on the Arabian Craton, the recycling of older formations and also the humid climate at the time of the deposition of the Doroud Formation, together, have played significant role at the relatively high maturity of this sandstones.

Divorce brings emotional separation and psychological pressures for most women, which requires the most changes for re-adaptation in these people. Therefore, the purpose of the present research was to determine and develop a structural model of adjustment after divorce based on social and psychological factors in divorced women in Shiraz.

The present descriptive correlational study was conducted in Shiraz city in 2018. The statistical population of the study included all divorced women who were divorced for at least two years and were not remarried. 416 samples were selected through available sampling from fifteen psychological clinics under the supervision of welfare and family courts. Moreover, they were evaluated through Fisher's post-divorce adjustment questionnaires, Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Questionnaire, Bell's Social Adjustment Questionnaire, Adult Attachment Style Questionnaire, Neo Short Form Five-Factor Personality Questionnaire, and Emotion Cognitive Regulation Strategies Questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation, multiple regression and Fisher's statistical tests.

The results indicated that the variables of perceived support, attachment styles and personality traits through the variables of cognitive regulation of emotion and social adjustment had a significant effect on adjustment after divorce (p<.05). Unreconciled emotion regulation had a negative and significant effect on post-divorce adjustment (p<.05). The adjusted emotion regulation variable had a positive and significant effect on post-divorce adjustment directly and indirectly through social adjustment (p<.05). Finally, the social adjustment variable had a positive and significant effect on post-divorce adjustment (p<.05). Social adjustment was the strongest predictor of adjustment after divorce (0.63) than personality traits (0.59). Secure attachment style had the greatest effect on post-divorce adjustment through compromised emotion regulation (0.26). Furthermore, the personality trait of neuroticism had the greatest impact on post-divorce adjustment through compromised emotion regulation (0.52). Friends' support through social adjustment had the greatest effect on post-divorce adjustment (0.43). Planning strategy through social adjustment had the greatest impact on post-divorce adjustment (0.34). The mentioned variables explain a total of 65% of the variance of adjustment after divorce.

The structural model revealed that some social and psychological factors were able to predict adjustment after divorce, and the results of the present study can be studied and be useful for counseling clinics, psychology and other institutions that are responsible for the health of society.

The aim of this study was to develop a causal model of post-divorce adjustment based on personality traits, attachment style and perceived support with the mediating role of cognitive emotion regulation.

The study was correlational research based on structural equation modeling. The statistical population of this study was all divorced women Research sample of 416 divorced women; were chosen. In this study, data were collected through adaptation questionnaires after Fisher divorce, perceived support of Zimet et al., Hazen and Schiver attachment style, neo-personality traits, and cognitive emotion regulation of Garnfsky and Craig. Data analysis was performed using structural equation modeling (SEM) method. To evaluate the significance of indirect effects, bootstrap method was used.

The results showed that the proposed research model has a good fit with the data. The findings also indicated that direct pathways of cognitive emotion regulation and perceived social support were significant for post-divorce adjustment. Indirect pathways of neurotic personality traits, avoidant and ambivalent attachment styles on post-divorce adjustment through cognitive emotion regulation were negative and significant. Indirect paths are also positive and significant personality traits of extraversion, openness, agreement, conscientiousness, and secure attachment style.Discussion and

Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that in order to increase post-divorce adjustment, it is necessary to pay attention to the role of personality traits, attachment style, perceived social support and cognitive regulation of emotion.

The presence of impacted teeth is a common phenomenon and is considerably prevalent in different societies. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and position of impacted third molars in Rafsanjan, Iran in 2019-2020.

In this cross-sectional retrospective study, 1200 panoramic radiographs were examined. The tooth position and angle of impaction was recorded and determined by two specialists. Independent t-test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis.

C vertical position with 1382 teeth (63.33%) and horizontal class II position in the mandible with 767 teeth (59.54%) were the most common. A statistically significant relationship was observed between the position of the mandibular third molars and the presence of lesion (p=0.001).

This study showed a relatively high frequency of impacted teeth in patients in Rafsanjan city. Therefore, given the occurrence of common complications such as caries and periodontal diseases caused by impacted teeth, accurate screening, timely diagnosis, and proper treatment are recommended.

The aim of this study was Developing a creativity learning model in high school educational curriculum. There for, 384 experts (incloud masters, schoole managers, teachers & consoultants) of 20 Shiraz high-schools in 2019-2020 educational year, were randomly selected through multistage cluster sampling. The method of this study was combined from document study to qualitive and quantitive surway methods. After gathering basic data by document study, investigator conducted some interviews by 90 university masters and creativity experts, for quantitive surway phase. Collected 42 items were organized in to a questionnaire by 5 degrees in Likert scale. In qualitive surway phase, data extracted from answered questionnaires by examines, feed to SPSS-26 to do investigative factor analysis. The model fitness and effects of dimitions on principal components were analysed by AMOS-24. The results showed that, there is a six multi-dimitional creativity model (inclouds teaching method, teaching content, theacher, assessing, physical invironment and management); Hence, Iran educational planing needs some modifications by the respect to actualize creativity of High school students. So, it has some implications for improving adolesents creativity skills.

The aim of present study was to provide a causal model to explain Borderline personality disorder(BPD). To do this one hundred and sixty patients with BPD (58 men& 102 women) between 18 and 45 years old, who attended private clinics in Shiraz were assessed, using six scales: BPD inventory (Leichsenring), pathologic Narcissism inventory (Pincus), The Rosenberg self esteem inventory, The Other As Shamer scale (Goss& et al), Aggression inventory (Buss& Perry) &Object relation inventory (Bell). Data were analyzed by Structural equation modeling and confirmatory factor analysis using AMOS software . Finding showed that the research model had sufficient goodness of fit and all research hypotheses were confirmed. There was a significant relationship between predicator variable, Object relation and mediator variables, such as Aggression, Shame, self esteem and pathological narcissism with BPD. Also the result indicated that mediator variables had direct effect on predicting of BPD. They can provide a right framework to diagnose this disorder.

Risk assessment is one of the most important strategies in estimating the risk of cardiovascular disease and controlling the risk factors. In Iran, half of all deaths and 79% of deaths due to non-communicable diseases are attributed to cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to analyze the results of cardiovascular disease risk assessment program in Mazandaran province.

This cross-sectional study was performed in 2019 on 600 patients referred to comprehensive health centers of Noor and Mahmoudabad cities in Mazandaran province. The data collection tool was a checklist containing the risk factors studied in the SIB system. Descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, frequency and percentage as well as analytical statistical tests such as chi-square, regression and analysis of variance were used using SPSS software version 19.

The prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular disease including history of diabetes, history of hypertension, obesity, high cholesterol, family history of diabetes and heart disease were 36.5%, 45.5%, 42.3%, 34.8%, 23.5% and 10%, respectively. The four variables of age, history of diabetes and hypertension, and blood cholesterol levels were significantly associated with the 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease. With increasing one year of age, the 10-year risk level increased by 15% (p<0.001), and by seven times in people with a history of diabetes (p<0.001) and increased by 83% in people with a history of high blood pressure compared to others individuals (p=0.022).

The results of the study showed that in Mazandaran province, four variables of age, history of diabetes and hypertension and cholesterol levels are the most common factors that are associated with 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease.

Application of antioxidants is a common way for retarding oxidation. Due to adverse effects of synthetic antioxidants on health, the use of natural and safe antioxidants is considered essential. Pistachio green hull is a waste product and low-cost source of phenolic compounds. The use of phenolic compounds in food formulations has some limitations. In this study, the encapsulation of Pistachio Green Hull (PGH) phenolic compounds was carried out by spray-dryer using Maltodextrin (MD) as a wall material. For this purpose, the effective factors including the inlet temperature, dilution factor, wall:core ratio, and rate of feeding were optimized. MD, PGH extract powder, and encapsulated phenolic compounds produced under optimum conditions (ME) were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), FTIR, X-ray Diffractometry (XRD), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC).Under optimum conditions, the amount of phenolic compounds and the encapsulation efficiency were 32.1 mg GAE g-1 dp and 81%, respectively. DSC results showed that the microencapsulation had improved thermal stability of phenolic compounds. The DPPH test results indicated that the antioxidant activity of the free PGH extract was 10% higher than encapsulated one (ME). Storage stability results indicated that the amount of phenolic compounds of PGH extracts and ME after 60 days storage decreased by more than 29 and 4%, respectively. The microcapsules obtained can be used in the production of functional foods and pharmaceutical products, due to their antioxidant content and presence of phenolic compounds.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two methods of teaching quality of life in parents and teaching social emotional learning of students on reducing the symptoms of conduct disorder in students. This research was semi-experimental design with pretest-post test design with control group. The statistical population of this study was all male students of fourth, fifth and sixth grade students with conduct disorder in Shiraz in academic year of 96_97. The research sample consisted of 45 students who were selected by cluster random sampling and randomly divided into three groups. The first experimental group was the parents of 15 students who received the quality of life therapy program in 8 sessions of 2 hours. The second experimental group received 15 conduct disorder students who received the social emotional training program in 8 sessions per hour. And the third group of control that students and their parents did not receive any training. After performing educational interventions, the CSI-4 questionnaire was completed as a post-test by parents. In data analysis, co variance analysis was used. Based on the results, in the experimental groups, there was a significant decrease in the symptoms of conduct disorder in comparison with the control group in the post-test. Both interventions have had a positive effect on the improvement of symptoms of conduct disorder. But intervention by students' social-emotional learning method was more effective than education in quality of life in mothers.

Aril Browning (AB) is a physiological disorder in pomegranate fruit that critically decreases fruit quality and market acceptability. This experiment was carried out in order to explore the effective pomegranate fruit quality traits associated with the AB disorder and select the suitable resistant cultivar and genotypes. Pomegranate physico-chemical fruit quality attributes were assessed on 238 mature pomegranate genotypes and their correlations with the AB disorder were monitored. About 14.7% of the studied genotypes showed resistance to the AB disorder, but 68.14% showed moderate to severely susceptibility to the incidence. The intensity of the AB disorder symptoms in pomegranate genotypes was strongly correlated with physico-chemical fruit attributes. There was a negative significant correlation between the intensity of AB disorder and fruit size, fruit volume, fruit acidity, and total soluble solids (TSS) to titratable acidity (TA) content.. Among the studied fruit traits, stepwise regression analysis showed that fruit acidity (pH), aril color, fruit volume, and TA content were efficient traits for screening of pomegranate genotypes in relation to the AB disorder.

In this study, the combined effects of various experimental parameters (solvent concentration, extraction temperature, pH, extraction time, and light conditions) on the recovery of phytochemical compounds from the jujube (Ziziphus jujuba var vulgaris) fruit were investigated in a batch system using a 25 full-factorial design. The independent variables were coded at two levels and their actual values were selected based on the results of single-factor experiments. Total Phenolic Content (TPC), Total Monomeric Anthocyanin Content (TMAC), and vitamin C content values were used for the determination of phytochemical compound content in jujube extract. The results showed that pH, extraction temperature, and solvent concentration were the most significant (P< 0.05) factors affecting the TPC, TMAC, and vitamin C content. The optimal extraction conditions of phytochemical compounds were found to be as follows: ethanol concentration of 60%, pH of 3, extraction time of 180 min, extraction temperature of 25°C, and absence of light. In the optimized conditions, the maximum experimental values for TPC, TMAC, and vitamin C content were 164.51 mg gallic-acid equivalents per gram of dry weight (mg GAE g-1 DW), 52.94 mg cy-3-glu 100 g-1 DW, and 137.12 mg L-AA 100 g-1 DW, respectively. The high content of phytochemical compounds in the jujube extract indicates that jujube extract might be considered as a potential source of nutraceuticals in the future.

Academic satisfaction is one of the factors that can affect the whole life and fate of students. The purpose of this study was to investigate mediating effect of Academic Emotion on the relationship between basic psychological needs and academic satisfaction of students.

This is a descriptive-analytic study of correlation type on all students of Yazd Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences (n=5363) during the academic year of 2018-19. The sample size was 358 (58.96% female and 41.03% male) according to Morgan table and they were selected by cluster random sampling. Research instruments were Deci and Ryan’s Basic Psychological Needs, Pekrun and et al Academic Emotion scale, Lent and et al Academic Satisfaction. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and path analysis through AMOS and SPSS.

There was a positive significant relationship among basic psychological needs, positive academic emotions and academic satisfaction (P<0.01). There was a Negative significant relationship between negative academic emotions and academic satisfaction (P<0.01). The results showed that the proposed model has good fit (GFI=0.99 & RAMSEA=0.043). Path analysis results indicated that autonomy, competence and positive & negative academic emotions was significantly related to Academic satisfaction. Furthermore, the results showed that academic Emotion mediated the relationship between basic psychological needs and Academic satisfaction.

These results show the importance of basic psychological needs, therefore to improve Academic satisfaction students must feel autonomous, competent, and experience a genuine connection with their college, lecturers and fellow students.

In this paper, shear strengthening of RC beams with insu cient shear reinforcement by a new proposed technique, Prestressed Embedded Through-Section Bars (PETSB), was studied experimentally. This technique consist of boring holes through beam web and embedding steel bolt and tightening the bolt to the predetermined prestressing force. In order to investigate the in uence of the proposed strengthening method, a test program including 10 RC Beams with dimensions of1700  200  200mm was planned. The beams were tested by two points loading at the midspan and a shear span of 600 mm on each side. The beams were fully shear reinforced at one side and poorly shear reinforced at the shear span on the other side( no shear reinforcement in 5 beams, 0S Beams, and only one middle stirrup in 5 beams, 1S Beams). The strengthening bolts were one No.10 steel bolt or two No.6 steel bolts, prestressed or non-prestressed. To simulate the actual load conditions, an initial load was applied before strengthening to make initial shear cracks. Strengthening was performed in two loading status, under constant load or after load removal. After strengthening, each specimen was loaded to failure and the load vs de ection at midspan was recorded and drawn. Failure mode for most of specimens was shear failure but it changed in two of specimens strengthened by prestressed steel bolts to bending failure. These two specimens also had the maximum ductility and energy dissipation. Based on the results, embedding steel bolts eectively increased shear strength of beams in all test conditions, prestressed or non-prestressed bolts and constant load or load removal before strengthening, but better results were gained in prestressed bolts especially under constant load strengthening. Ductility and energy dissipation were also investigated. Prestressed bolts were considerably more eective in ductility and energy dissipation improvement.

Educational well-being is one of the most important factors affecting educational outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of academic hope and perceived emotional support in predicting the academic well-being of medical students.. This is a descriptive-analytic study of correlation type. Statistical population included all students of Yazd University of Medical Sciences (n=5363) during the academic year of 2017-2018. The sample size was 352 (47.4% female and 53.6% male) according to Morgan table and they were selected by cluster random sampling. The instruments used included the standard questionnaire for the education of Khormaei and Kamari, the perceived emotional support of Pourbirgani and colleagues, the well-being of Peitrin et al. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient, multiple regression analysis, and independent t-test through SPSS. The findings showed that there was a positive and significant relationship between the variables of academic hope and perceived emotional support with educational well-being (p<0.05). On the other hand, the perceived emotional support variables (%18) hopefulness opportunities (%23), hope for the university's benefit (%27) and the hope of earning (%30) predicted variance of educational well-being respectively. In this regards, the results of independent groups showed that there was a significant difference between perceived emotional support of male and female students, so that the difference was in favor of girls (p<0.001). According to the results of this study, academic hope and perceived emotional support play a significant role in the prediction of educational well-being So, It is suggested by addressing the fundamental needs of students through families and the community, the educational well-being of the students could be provided.

In this study, the effects of γ-radiation on physicochemical properties of Iranian saffron (Crocus sativus L.) such as crocin (saffron color factor), kaempferol (polyphenol bioactive compounds) and safranal (the main component of volatile aromatic saffron), color paramerters a*, b*, L* and ΔEh indices and the microbial load were investigated. The saffron samples were irradiated at dosages of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 kGy by a Gammacell 220. Then, the efficient compounds were extracted and the composition and microbial load of saffron extracts were determined before and after the γ- irradiation. The results showed that in addition to decreasing the microbial content of saffron, among the 21 bioactivie compounds separated by HPLC, crocin, kaempferol and safranal content in three regions of this study were affected by the gamma irradiation. Pre- treatment of saffron with 4 and 6 kGy radiation also results in a significant (p<0.01) increase, without changes in color and bioactivie compounds. These data may suggest that  irradiation of saffron without unfavorable changes on the effective componeents results in a significant decrease in the microbial content of this product.

This study investigated the fatty acids profile, oxidative stability indices, and bioactive compounds of virgin and processed olive oils (Leccino and Frantoio cultivars). Results showed that fatty acid profile of the studied oils contained mostly oleic acid followed by palmitic and linoleic acid. Acid values of virgin Frantoio and processed Leccino were 0.78 and 0.18 mg KOH/g oil, with peroxide values (PV) of 8.74 and 6.03 meq O2/kg oil, respectively. Virgin Leccino had the highest oxidative stability index with induction period of 18.83 h. The highest contents of phenolics, 321.14 mg/kg, tocopherols, 455.25 mg/kg, and sterols, 2189.1 mg/kg, were recorded in virgin Leccino oil. Laboratory processing of virgin olive oil decreased the phenolics to 70%, tocopherols to 50%, and sterols to 25%. Finally, based on the higher content of antioxidant compounds, the virgin Leccino oil had higher oxidative stability and bioactivity than Frantoio oil.

The elm leaf beetle، Xanthogaleruca luteola (Muller)، is one of the most destructive pests of elm trees that overwinters as diapausing adult. The main cryoprotectants and their seasonal fluctuations in the elm leaf beetles were analyzed based on the monthly level of polyhydric alcohol from October 2008 through June 2009، using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The compounds myo-inositol، trehalose، glucose and glycerol were found to be the most important polyols in the overwintering adults، of which myo-inositol content exhibited an inversely significant correlation with temperature fluctuations (r = -0. 814، P = 0. 014). The highest level of myo-inositol was observed in December (32. 6 ± 2. 7 µmol g-1 fresh body weight)، while its lowest level was recorded in April (3. 0 ± 0. 4 µmol g-1 fresh body weight). The total concentration of all cryoprotectants was 100. 7 ± 7. 6 µmol g-1 fresh body weights in January. The results underline the influential role of myo-inositol، trehalose and glucose compounds in enhancing the cold tolerance of elm leaf beetles and their chance of survival during freezing winter days.

Spices and herbs have been added to foodstuffs since old times due to their medicinal، preservative and flavouring effects. They are، however، often contaminated with microorganisms. Gamma irradiation is currently used widely to eliminate microbial contaminations in foods. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of gamma irradiation on the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum).

Samples of cinnamon were exposed to gamma irradiation at doses of 10، 15، 20 and 25 kGy، followed by preparing hydroalcoholic (50% ethanol) extracts from them for sequence analysis. The antioxidant activity of the irradiated and control samples was measured by DPPH radical scavenging، ferric reducing power، and bleaching of beta-caroten، and the total phenolic content was also determined. The broth diluting method was applied for the determination of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of E. coli and S. aureus. All tests were performed in triplicates، and the least significant difference (LSD) statistical test at α = 0. 01 was used to compare differences among the means.

Gamma irradiation had no adverse effects on antioxidant activities and total phenolic content of the samples. Only at doses more than 10 kGy did the radical scavenging activity of the cinnamon extract increase (DPPH test). With regard to the effect of gamma irradiation on antimicrobial activity، as compared to the control value، there was no statistically significant difference in the activity of irradiated samples up to a dose of 25 kGy.

Gamma irradiation treatment of cinnamon had no adverse effect on its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Gamma irradiation at doses up to 25 kGy seems to be appropriate for cinnamon.

Natural antioxidants with plant origin are incorporated to foods in the forms of essential oils or extracts. They can retard lipid oxidation and control spoilage bacteria in foodstuffs (e.g. meat products).

This work was aimed to evaluate the effect of nitrite partial replacement with Mentha piperita essential oil (MPEO) on oxidative, microbial and sensory properties of cooked sausage.

GC/MS was used for the identification of essential oil components. Nitrite content (120 ppm) was reduced and replaced with 20, 40 and 60 ppm of MPEO. The effect of MPEO on product rancidity was assessed by peroxide and TBARS values in sausage samples. Antimicrobial properties of the essential oil were evaluated by MICs and MBCs determination against Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens by microdilution method. Also, the effect of this replacement on the product color stability was evaluated by determination of L*, a* and b* values, Hue angle, and E (2-30).

Results indicated that peroxide and TBARS values of sample with 20 ppm of MPEO were significantly lower than samples with 40 and 60 ppm of MPEO and control, at the end of storage period. With respect to color parameters, hue angle of the sample with 60 ppm of MPEO was significantly higher than samples with lower essential oil levels and control after 30 days of storage. Moreover, total color difference of sample with 60 ppm of MPEO was lower than other samples and control (p<0.05). Antimicrobial activity of MPEO against Escherichia coli determined as MICs and MBCs were 0.226 and 0.453 mg/ml, respectively. These values turned out as 0.453 and 0.906 mg/ml against Clostridium perfringens.

all samples with different essential oil levels were acceptable after 30 days of storage according to PV and TBARS thresholds determined in literature. Replacement of 50 % of nitrite with MPEO is a reasonable approach in order to put down harmful effects of nitrite in sausage and to enhance functionality of the product.

The changes of mineral elements of the Abbot, Alison, Bruno, Monty and Hayward cultivars of kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa CV) were obtained from The Iran Research Center of Citrus (Tonekabon, North part of Iran) and were measured by ICP (Inductively Coupled Plasma) in the cold storage (at T= 0-4 0C, RH=75-85%) during 0, 9 and 18 weeks. Content of mineral elements (after harvesting) were in the ranges: Ca (42.726- 79.590), K (279.890-372.271), Mg (18.977-32.799), Na (1.444-2.5), Fe (0.290-0.521), P (31.296-42.221), Cu (0.037-0.207), Zn (0.162-0.308) and Mn (0.042-0.062 mg/100g fw). Statistical analysis showed that, potassium was the main mineral elements in the all studied cultivars and the Alison cultivar had the highest contents of mineral elements. In all cultivars of kiwi fruit the contents of mineral elements was significantly change during cold storage (P<0.01).

Phenolic compounds, especially those of plant origin, constitute an essential part of the human diet, and are of considerable interest due to their antioxidant properties. In this study, Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE), Microwave-Assisted Extraction (MAE), as well as Maceration Extraction (ME) methods were applied for phenolic compounds’ extraction from pistachio green hull. Response surface methodology was employed to optimize the extraction conditions as regards the yield of the compounds. A Central Composite Design (CCD) was employed to investigate the effects of three independent variables, namely liquid-to-solid ratio (8-20 times), temperature (25-65 °C) and time (5-45 minutes) on the dependent variable (level of total phenolic compounds). The results indicated that within the same extraction time, the extraction yield through UAE was higher than those in ME and MAE methods. Correlation coefficients (R2) of the models for UAE, MAE and ME methods were 0.95, 0.96 and 0.94, respectively. The optimal conditions for extraction of phenolic compounds from pistachio green hull through ME, UAE, and MAE methods were 20(v/w), 65°C, 45 minutes; 20(v/w), 65°C, 25 minutes; and 20(v/w), 65°C, 45 minutes, respectively. Under optimized conditions the experimental values well agreed with the values predicted by the proposed models.

Water deficit, ultraviolet radiation and CO2 concentration enhancement are three environmental stresses that affect nutrition of human in future. This research was conducted in the Research Greenhouse of Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University in 2006, in order to study leaf qualitative traits of durum wheat under different levels of carbon dioxide (400 and 900 ppm), ultraviolet radiation (UV A, B and C) and water deficit (up to %60 of field capacity). Ultraviolet radiation enhancement increased anthocyanin, flavenoids and carotenoids of durum wheat leaf. There was no significant interaction effect between carbon dioxide and water deficit on anthocyanin and carbohydrates. Also, the interaction effects among the three factors were not significant on anthocyanin, carotenoids, chlorophyll a and a+b. Water deficit decreased leaf proteins. Increasing intensity of ultraviolet radiation and carbon dioxide enrichment decreased soluble leaf protein in durum wheat under water deficit conditions. The results showed that three main environmental stresses which reduce leaf pigment and plant protection due to negative effects of these stresses along with soluble leaf protein reduction decrease qualitative and quantitative yield of the wheat variety.

Changes of the main sugars and organic acids content in Asian pear (Pyrus serotina Rehd.) Cultivars ‘KS’9 and ‘KS’13 grown in Tehran were studied from fruit set to maturity. The main sugars and organic acids content in fruits were determined 1 and 2 months before harvest, at the time of harvest and 1, 2 months after harvest time using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Fruits were stored at 2˚C and 80-85% relative humidity (RH). There were significant differences between cultivars and time of fruit harvest in terms of sugars and organic acids content. In both studied cultivars, fructose, glucose and sorbitol increased from the first fruit sampling to one month after harvest (1 to 9% FW) and then decreased. Sucrose content decreased from 2 months before harvest to 2 months after harvest time (3 to 0.75% FW). In both studied cultivars organic acids content increased at the time of pick-up and then decreased. The highest organic acids contents in the studied cultivars were malic and ascorbic acids (345 and 41.1mg 100g-1FW in ‘KS’9 and control, respectively). The relationship between low sugar and organic acid content in fruits showed the highest correlation (0.8 to 1) in both cultivars among low flesh firmness, low total soluble solid (TSS), low dry weight and high internal browning determined in this study. Results indicated that high content of sugars and organic acids in fruit led to delayed internal browning. Asian pears with a low ascorbic acid concentration are probably more susceptible to internal browning. High correlation was observed between high sugars content and high fruit colour.