Calix(6)arene hydroxamic acids (III) are synthesised for the first time by reactingcalix(6)arene acid chloride(II) with substituted hydroxylamines at low temperature in the presence ofsodium bicarbonate. The p-carboxycalix(6)arene(I) is obtained by an acid catalysed condensationreaction of p-hydroxybenzoic acid and formaldehyde. These calixarenes are characterised by meltingpoint, UV, IR, 1H NMR and mass spectra. The thermodynamic ionization constants of calixarenehydroxamic acids have been determined by a pH titration technique in dioxane-water media.

Shoulder movements are a complex motor act, controlled by many muscles attached to thescapula and the vertebral column. These muscles are innervating by motoneurons (Mns) located in theventral horn of the spinal cord. Motoneurons of the ventral horn are arranged such that several groups ofMns can be distinguished in a transverse section through the spinal cord. The anatomical or functionalimplication of these groups is still unknown. The present research was designed to determine thelocation and topographical mapping of Mns to the rat serratus anterior (SA) muscle.Thirty young adult male rats weighing 180-250g were used in this study. The location anddistribution of the Mns in the rat cervical spinal cord to the serratus anterior (SA) muscle of the rat havebeen studied using horseradish peroxidase (HRP) intramuscular injection and the application of a HRPnerve dipping method to the long thoracic nerve. Following the intramuscular injection of HRP and alsoa nerve dipping for the long thoracic nerve, labeled motoneurons were identified ipsilaterally to the sideof HRP application forming two main cell columns extended rostrocaudally in the ventral horn of bothsides. The column G5 extended longitudinally from the caudal half of the fifth (C5) to the rostral half ofthe seventh (C7) cervical segments in group five. The column G7, located mainly in the rostral half ofthe C7 in group seven. The serratus anterior labeled motoneurons showed a rostrocaudal somatotopicdistribution in each of the columns G5 and G7.These results suggest that there is a specific functional role for motoneurons, and also thatmotoneurons are arranged in the form of a motor pool with a musculotopic pattern of distributioncorresponding to the embryonic origin and anatomical position of the muscles they innervate to.

The effect of daily oral administration of ephedrine (0, 1, 2, 4 or 8 mg kg-1 W0.75) on carcasscharacteristics of forty-four 2 yr old crossbred (Mehraban x Ghezel) fat-tailed ewes was studied. Theewes were fed a fattening ration, and received ephedrine by using a drenching gun for either 50 or 70days. There was a significant interaction (P<0.05) between the dose and duration of the ephedrinetreatment for crude protein and ether extract (crude fat) of the carcass meat (dry matter basis), leg meatand Longissimus dorsi area at the 12th rib. On day 70, ephedrine at a dose of 8 mg kg-1 W 0.75, resulted inan increase of 21.5% in crude protein, and a decrease of 16% in ether extract contents of the carcassmeat (dry matter basis) as compared with the control group (P<0.05). After 70 days, all doses ofephedrine significantly increased the cross sectional area of the Longissimus dorsi muscle, as comparedwith the control ewes. The weight of leg meat as a percentage of slaughter weight was significantlyincreased on day 70 at 8 mg kg-1 W0.75. The data showed that ephedrine increased the protein, anddecreased the fat content of the meat in crossbred fat-tailed ewe; a daily oral dose of 8 mg kg-1 W 0.75,administered for 70 days, was effective in changing carcass chemical composition.

We studied the role of nutrients on various aspects of the periphyton community in artificialstreams. Dry mass, ash-free dry mass, chlorophyll a and biovolume of the periphyton community weremeasured under 3 different nutrient regimes, including one from natural streams as a control and twowhich were enriched with N and N+P. Results of this experiment indicate that the standing crop of theperiphyton community in the artificial streams increased with increasing the amount of the nutrient.Also, we showed that diatom diversity was affected by increasing the nutrients concentrations. Theperiphyton dry mass following 23 days of experiment was 0.96, 1.4 and 3.52 mg/cm2 for control, N andN+P artificial streams, respectively. Ash-free dry mass (AFDM) of the periphyton community forcontrol, N and N+P treatment were 0.2, 0.98 and 1.04 mg/cm2, respectively. The experiment alsodepicted that the periphyton chlorophyll a increased with increasing the nutrient content in the artificialstreams (for control, N and N+P enriched artificial streams, the chlorophyll a content was 2.11, 2.20 and6.36 mg/m2respectively). The total diatom biovolume as a measure of standing crop in the periphytoncommunity was 6x106, 8x106 and 48x106 μm3/cm2 for control, N and N+P enriched artificial streams,respectively. Results of this experiment demonstrated that adding nutrient increases the relativeabundance of Navicula, Achnanthes, Nitzschia and Cocconies in artificial streams.

The role of the antioxidant defense system was studied in Brassica napus, and subjected todifferent supplementary bands of ultraviolet radiation (UV-A, UV-B and UV-C). This study showed thatUV-B and UV-C induced oxidative stress as evidenced by an increase in lipid peroxidation and totalascorbate content. Under UV-B and UV-C treatments, flavonoids and anthocyanins were increasedsignificantly compared with control and UV-A treated plants. These compounds act as internal filtersand also have an antioxidant activity against active oxygen species such as H2O2. Results of this researchshowed that the protein content increased under UV-B and UV-C. These increments are probably relatedto the synthesis of defense proteins such as HSP, the expression of genes that are encoding theantioxidant enzymes, or those which contribute in UV-absorbing compound synthesis pathways such asPAL, CHS and CHI.

The adsorption of 2-mercaptobenzimidazole (2-MBI) on Au(111) has been studied withcyclic voltammetry (CV), in-situ subtractively normalised interfacial FT-IR spectroscopy (SNIFTIRS)and scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM). Although adsorbed 2-MBI reduces the interfacial capacityand quenches the characteristic features of the cyclic voltammogram for sulfate adsorption,heterogeneous electron transfer to both the [Fe(CN)6]4-/3- and [Ru(NH3)6]3+/2+ redox systems is onlypartially impeded. Cyclic voltammetry has also been used to examine the reductive desorption of thethiolate in KOH electrolytes and its subsequent re-adsorption. From the reductive desorption charge,coverage of 2-MBI of 2.6 x 10-10 molecule cm-2 is estimated and this points to a flat-lying configurationof the monolayer, in agreement with a previous XPS study. The SNIFTIRS and electrochemical resultsshow that adsorbed 2-MBI is displaced from the surface at positive potentials. STM imaging of adsorbed2-MBI is also consistent with flat-lying molecules aligned in parallel rows.

During the period from 1996 to 1997, 45 isolates of Leishmania were recovered frompatients suspected of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and one from a gerbil. These specimens werereceived from various parts of Iran. Isoenzyme profiles of these isolates were compared with those ofreference strains of L.tropica, L.major and L.infantum using cellulose acetate electrophoresis (CAE) and10 enzyme systems (MDH,ME, NH1, NH2, PGM, GPI, 6PGD, GOT, SOD and G6PD). The isolateobtained from the gerbil was characterized as L.major. From the patients with CL, 27 isolates werecharacterized as L.tropica, 10 as L.major and 8 remained undetermined.

Some kinetic properties of NAD+- and NADP+- dependent glucose 6-phosphatedehydrogenase (G6PD) purified from streptomyces aureofaciens were studied. Both NADH andNADPH inhibited the enzyme competitively and noncompetitively, with respect to the correspondingcoenzymes and glucose 6-phosphate, respectively. ATP inhibited the NAD+ - linked reaction but not thatof the NADP+- linked activity. The inhibition was competitive with respect to NAD+ and noncompetitivewith respect to glucose 6-phosphate. Km values were 0.14 mM for NAD+ and 0.075 mM for NADP+.Similar Km values (0.75-0.79 mM) were obtaind for glucose 6-phosphate using either NAD+ or NADP+as a coenzyme. The optimum pH was 6.6 for NAD+- and 7.4 for NADP+- dependent activity. Maximumprotein fluorescence was increased by NAD+ (49%) and NADP+ (8%). Among bivalent cations studied,Cu2+ decreased NAD+- linked activity (40%), but increased the NADP+- linked reaction (10%). Ni2+ didnot affect NAD+- linked, but stimulated NADP+- linked activity. Other cations such as Zn2+ and Mn2+also differently affected the two reactions. The data suggested that binding of NAD+ and NADP+produces a different conformational change in S. aureofaciens G6PD or an isomerisation processregulates coenzyme utilization.

During 2000-2001, soil Pythium species were studied in Fars province. Soil samples werecollected from various parts of the province (Abadeh, Bajgah, Bayza, Borazjan, Darab, Estahban, Fasa,Khafr, Sepidan, Shiraz, Moharloo, and Zarghan). Isolates were recovered from soil by baiting. Specieswere identified based on morphological characters of sexual and asexual organs, growth rate at differenttemperatures, and colony morphology on various media. From 270 isolates of Pythium recovered, 12species and two groups were identified as: P. aphanidermatum*, P. aquatile, P. deliense, P. diclinum, P.echinulatum, P. inflatum, P. okanoganense, P. oliganderum, P. orthogonon, P. ostracodes, P. rostratum,P. vexans, Pythium Group “G”*, and Pythium Group “HS”* (species with asterisk were predominant).P. aquatile, P. diclinum, P. echinulatum, P. inflatum, P. okanoganense, P. oliganderum, P.orthogonon, P. ostracodes, P. rostratum, and P. vexans are new for Fars, and P. aquatile, P.echinulatum, P. inflatum, P. okanoganense, P. orthogonon, P. ostracodes, and P. rostratum are new forIran flora.A key is also presented for identification of Fars Pythium species.

To date, no comprehensive study has been carried out on the chironomid larvalidentification in running waters of the country, in particular in large rivers. Therefore, this article is thefirst of its kind in Iran that has come out in English. Samples were collected in 9 sites from theZayandehrood River a distance of 230 Km down the Zayandehrood dam. The sampling was repeatedfour times: November 1998, February, May and August 1999. The samples were hand sorted in thelaboratory and the larvae were identified to generic level, using available identification keys. To studythe effects of sites and seasons, and selected ecological factors on chironomid larval abundance anddistribution, data were analysed using a two way ANOVA. Twenty seven genera were identified in threesubfamilies including 14 in Chironominae, 9 in Orthocladiinae and 4 in Tanypodinae, from which 20genera are reported from the Zayandehrood River, Iran, for the first time. The results also revealed thatthe mean number of the larvae was significantly different according to sites (P < 0.001) and seasons (P <0.001). The velocity, depth and substrate showed no significant effects on the larval abundance, butvegetation cover did, significantly.

The Artificial Accelerograms have been developed for assessing the dynamic response ofstructures. Considering seismological properties of the site are necessary for the best simulation ofaccelerograms. The real recorded accelergrams for simulating earthquake phenomenon are used in theArma model. This is due to the fact that the Arma model can be considered more advantageous than theothers.In this paper, 25 recorded accelerograms are used for simulating accelerograms of a dam site inHamedan province in western Iran. The parameters which are used in the stationary transformation arerelated to the physical parameters (eg. magnitude, epicentral distance and duration) via a regressionanalysis. To generate Artificial Accelerogram, the physical parameters enter the Arma model, thereforethe output would be a stationary time history adjusted with recorded accelerograms. The generatedstationary time history is changed into a non-stationary time history from the amplitude and frequencypoint of view.

Protein content and its effect on the quality of fresh pastas, obtained from dough preparedwith different formulas: semolina, wheat flour, gluten, wheat bran and soybean proteins, were evaluatedin this paper. Tests were carried out in the laboratory using raw materials from the same batch nationalorigin. Raw materials were mixed in an auxiliary kneading machine with a 500 g -capacity. The doughwas then stretched and cut manually into long strings of spaghettis of 2 mm- diameter. The followingparameters were analysed in 7 different doughs: a) Protein content, b) Humidity, c) Solid content in thecooking water d) Sensorial analysis: colour, aroma, flavour and solidity. Results showed that the bestdough samples, from a sensorial point of view, had the following composition: 1) “000”-flour: 85% andgluten: 15%, and 2) “000”-flour: 60%, semolina: 30% and gluten: 15%. The highest percentage ofproteins was determined in these types of dough. The soybean flour addition was not satisfactory,considering the characteristics of aroma and flavour. Neither was the wheat bran addition, since it alteredthe texture of the dough, not being appetizing for the consumer.

Infertility is a relatively common problem among couples, and Gossypol, a yellowishpigment detected in cottonseed, is one cause.Adult NMRI mice (25-35 gr) were used in this study. The animals were kept in standard conditionswith a dark and light cycle of 12:12, controlled humidity and temperature, food and water were availableadlibitium.Gossypol was dissolved in ethanol and diluted by sunflower oil as a vehicle (0.5: 4.5), and wereused orally (13.425 mg/kg per day) for 15 days. The animals were sacrificed 24 hours after the lasttreatment.The factors compared among these groups were testis and epididymis length and weight, spermlength and count and also histological differences. Statistical analysis by One Way ANOVA revealedthat:Gossypol causes a 69.33% & 67.22% decrease in the sperm number compared to control &sham groups, respectively. It also causes a 29.63% decrease in the epididymal weight, and changes inthe histological structure of the testis.In conclusion, although gossypol may be a good antifertility agent, it should be handled morecautiously. Furthermore, the usage of cottonseed oil in snacks should be limited and those field/factorymenwho have contact with cotton should be more careful.

In this paper we present our studies using Pauling electrostatic bond strength (ESB) rules forstructural behaviour, cation vacancies, relation between x, y, and the valence of cations and coordinationin spinel compounds LixMn2O4, 0<x<1 and Li1+yMn2-yO4, 0<y<1/3, which are of interest as the positiveelectrodes for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.

Retinoic acid (RA) plays a key role in pattern formation along the major body axis and limbformation during vertebrate development. Exposure to excessive retinoic acid (in uterus) generatescongenital malformations in limbs, craniofacial, CNS, urogenital, heart, and axial skeletons. In thesestudies, seven groups of NMRI pregnant mice were administered a single gavage dose of 100 mg /kgbody weight; All-trans-retinoic acid dissolved in DMSO at days 9, 10, and 11 of gestation (groups 2, 4,6), DMSO at days 9, 10, and 11 (groups 1, 3, 5) and left (control group) untreated. Animals weresacrificed at day 18 of gestation via cesarean. Half of the total numbers (n=115) of fetuses wererandomly selected for histological studies, using hematoxylin-eosin methods, and others were used tostudy the skeletal defects. It was demonstrated that embryonic exposure to RA reveals that on day 9, 37% of forelimbs and 31% of hindlimbs have some abnormalities, and on days 10 and 11, 100% showdefects on craniofacial, vertebral column, ribs and limbs.

In this paper a chemical deposition procedure for the preparation of lead sulfide thin film ispresented. The details of the preparation method are described. The influence of hydrazine hydrate onthe microstructure and deposition rate of lead sulfide thin film has been investigated. The concentrationof the lead ions in the deposition bath decreases more slowly when the hydrazine hydrate is added. In thepresence of hydrazine hydrate the predominance of (111) as the orientation of film growth is established.Optical absorption spectra, AFM and SEM micrograph have shown that the film was formed fromnanometer grains.

Andalusite, kyanite and sillimanite occur in well-defined zones in the Ardara aureole, NWIreland. Temperature and pressure conditions of the Al2SiO5-bearing pelites in this aureole wereestimated using ten different calibrations of garnet-biotite thermometry and five calibrations of garnetplagioclase-Al2SiO5-quartz barometry. The different calibrations provide different estimates oftemperature and pressure. However, using the most recent, and the best reversed experimental data givetemperatures varying from 510 to 605 ºC, and a pressure of around 4 kbar across the Ardara aureole. Thecalculated temperatures for the analyzed samples are compared with published andalusite=sillimaniteequilibria, and these equilibria are evaluated in the Ardara aureole.

In this article, the immobilization of microsomal membranes on Fractosil and hexadecylFractosil by hydrophobic adsorption is reported. Microsomes were prepared from rat brain and thecatalytic activity of antimycin A insensitive NADH-cytochrome c reductase (NCCR), one of themembrane bound enzymes in the microsomal electron transport chain, was chosen as a representative ofthe microsomal membrane enzymes. The effect of pH on the enzyme activity and the effect of membraneconcentration on adsorption was explored. Physical adsorption on Fractosil and hexadecyl Fractosilcaused stabilization when the catalytic potential of the enzyme was followed in a continuous operation.The presence of hydrophobic ligand on Fractosil caused higher stabilization of the immobilized enzymeat 25ºC and 4ºC, making it more useful for continuous operations. It is suggested that using supportswith appropriate hydrophobic groups are useful for the immobilization of biologic membranes.

Experiments were set up to estimate the effectiveness of clinoptilolite for the removal ofarsenate from aqueous solutions. The removal of arsenate by the exchanged forms was analyzed in thelight of the Langmuir model of adsorption. A kinetic study of adsorption was carried out at differentintervals of time, and the Kad values were calculated by using Lagergren’s equation. Adsorption ofarsenate proceeds through the formation of arsenate precipitates.

The combustion of sulfur-rich fossil fuels leads to the release of acid rain-causing sulfurdioxide into the environment. The aim of this study was to enhance the efficiency of biodesulfurizationusing Pseudomonas aeruginosa through the duplication of the dsz cluster in this organism. One copy ofthe dsz cluster was inserted by a tri-parental mating method into the chromosome of Pseudomonasaeruginosa ATCC 9027 strain, and another copy in the form of a plasmid was cloned under control of atac promoter. The recombinant Pseudomonas sp. was able to desulfurize dibenzothiophene moreefficiently than the strains which contain only one copy of dsz cluster. Efficiency of dibenzothiophene(DBT) desulfurisation was measured through the release of 2-hidroxybiphenyle (2-HPB).This is the firsttime that an increase in desulfurisation activity through gene duplication has been shown.

Heavy metal accumulation in plants causes induction of oxidative stress. Plants have severaldefense systems involved in detoxifying free radicals. In the present research we treated the 15 d.seedlings of B. napus grown in pots with different concentrations of cadmium (0, 10, 50 and 100 μM) asCdCl2. After 3 weeks we measured malondealdehyde (MDA) content in leaves of treated plants as anindication of lipid peroxidation. We also measured ascorbate (ASC) and anthocyanin content asantioxidative compounds. Our results showed that a high concentration of Cd2+ causes an increase inMDA content in leaves compared with control, which is possibly due to the induction of oxidative stressand lipid peroxidation. Low levels of this ion cause an increase in ASC content, while highconcentrations of this ion cause a decrease in ascorbate content. It is possible that the entrance of asubstrate for ASC reduction in the pathway for phytochelatin synthesis will be the cause. Anthocyanincontent increased significantly in plants treated with a high concentration of Cd2+. Increase inanthocyanin content may be an important mechanism for reduction of cadmium toxicity, either byremoving free radicals or compartmentation of Cd2+ in vacuole.