• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.447-452
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• 2018

The controlling and prediction of spring back is one of the most important factors in sheet metal forming processes which require high dimensional precision. The relationship between effective parameters and spring back phenomenon is highly nonlinear and complicated. Moreover, the objective function is implicit with regard to the design variables. In this paper, first the influence of some effective factors on spring back in U-die bending process was studied through some experiments and then regarding the robustness of artificial neural network (ANN) approach in predicting objectives in mentioned kind of problems, ANN was used to estimate a prediction model of spring back. Eventually, the spring back angle was optimized using the Imperialist Competitive Algorithm (ICA). The results showed that the employment of ANN provides us with less complicated and time-consuming analytical calculations as well as good results with reasonable accuracy.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.33-41
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• 2014

Purpose - The purpose of this study was to predict the selection of independent auditors in the companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE) using a combination of PSO algorithm and CART. This study involves applied research. Design, approach and methodology - The population consisted of all the companies listed on TSE during the period 2005-2010, and the sample included 576 data specimens from 95 companies during six consecutive years. The independent variables in the study were the financial ratios of the sample companies, which were analyzed using two data mining techniques, namely, PSO algorithm and CART. Results - The results of this study showed that among the analyzed variables, total assets, current assets, audit fee, working capital, current ratio, debt ratio, solvency ratio, turnover, and capital were predictors of independent auditor selection. Conclusion - The current study is practically the first to focus on this topic in the specific context of Iran. In this regard, the study may be valuable for application in developing countries.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.417-420
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• 2009

Neospora caninum is an important cause of abortion in dairy cattle worldwide. Dog is the definitive host for N. caninum and can infect dairy cattle. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of Neospora oocysts in feces of dogs from dairy farms. A total of 174 fecal samples was collected from 89 farm dogs and 85 household dogs during 2006 and 2008. Fecal samples of dogs were microscopically examined for detecting Hammondia Neospora-like oocysts (HNLO) by Mini $Parasep^{(R)}SF$ fecal parasite concentrator. HNLO were microscopically detected in 4 fecal samples (2.2%). The fecal samples with HNLO were examined by N. caninum-specific PCR. Two of the samples were positive for N. caninum. The 2 positive fecal samples were selected for inoculation to calves. Two inoculated calves were seronegative by ELISA for 4 months post-infection. This is the first report of finding N. caninum DNA in feces of farm dogs in Mashhad area, Iran.

• Asian review of World Histories
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.231-256
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• 2016

This paper presents a case study of the Muslim diaspora through comparative analysis of Islamic tombstones from the Southeast Coast of China under Mongol rule. The locations of the nisbas in the Islamic tombstones are widely dispersed, covering Xinjiang, Transoxiana, Iran, Khorasan, Khwarazm, Armenia, Syria, Palestine, and Arabia. Unexpectedly, we did not find a single named location from India or Southeast Asia. It is well known that notable descendants of distinguished families traditionally produced officials, intellectuals, and wealthy merchants, and surrendered to the Mongols during the war against the Qara Khitai Khanate and the Khwarazm Empire. There were a great number of appointed officials with Muslim names in the Jianghuai (around Lower Yangtze) and Fujian regions. This is consistent with the concentration of epitaphs written in Arabic on the southeast coast of China. The frequent use of the specific tradition of the prophet Muhammad associating the death of the exile with martyrdom in Islamic tombstones in Quanzhou, Hangzhou, and Yangzhou indicates that the Muslims in these port cities eventually established an interregional or diasporic identity of Muslim foreighners whoimmigrated into the region.

• International Journal of Railway
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.37-44
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• 2008

Safe, fast, efficient and effective railway is a main factor of economic development level of every country. This paper uses the DEA method to evaluate and compare the efficiency of 12 Regions of RAI. In addition, we introduce the reference(s) unit(s) for every inefficient region, and determine the amount of input decrease and/or output increase need to become them efficient. Findings indicate that in 2006, 4 regions of 12 are in Constant Return to Scale (CRS) status and 7 of them in Variable Return to Scale (VRS), and the average efficiency is 0.730 and 0.888, respectively. In other words, RAI works 27 percent under its capacity. More over results indicate that Hormozgan, Khorasan, Tehran and Isfahan Regions have the most efficiency respectively. The results show that the 8 regions, have been working in Increaser Return to Scale and 4 reminder Regions in Decrease Return to Scale. According to this results, we submit the suitable suggestion for improve the efficiency of the inefficient regions.

• Acta Via Serica
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.29-52
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• 2022

This study investigates why Khwārazmshāh's rulers abandoned Khwārazm, their capital before the Mongols invaded this city. From a local dynasty in Khwārazm under the Saljuqs, the Khwārazmshāh dynasty (ca.469-628/1077-1231) rapidly expanded in the region. After conquering the Saljuqs (ca.429-590/1037-1194), they extended their territory from Hamedān in western Iran to Samarqand in Transoxiana and beyond that to Otrār to become one of the world's great medieval empires. During this critical time, Khwārazm remained their central hub of power. However, the split in the power of the Khwārazmshāh dynasty under Sultan Muhammad (ca.596-617/1200-1220) contributed to their failure to recognize the strategic role of Khwārazm in retaining and reconstructing their power. In essence, the Khwārazmshāh state was divided before the Mongol Invasion.

• The Journal of Economics, Marketing and Management
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.18-28
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• 2014

In this research we investigate the effect return on assets, return on equity, profit margin and earnings per share on working capital management. Current ratio and quick ratio used as proxies for working capital management. The research sample includes 451 year -firm of Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE) listed companies for period 2007-10. The multiple linear regressions were applied to test the research hypotheses. The results showed that, return on assets and earnings per share have a negative impact on working capital management. The results also show that earnings per share and profit margin positively associated with the firm performance.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.45 no.2 s.142
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• pp.129-132
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• 2007

The geographical distribution and ecological preferences of Haemaphysalis in domestic animals in Iran were studied 4 times a year from April 2003 to March 2005. A total of 1,622 ixodid tick specimens were collected from 3 different zones. Among them, 108 (6.7%) Haemaphysalis ticks, consisting of 6 species, were identified; H. punctata (3.4%), H. parva (0.5%), H. sulcata (0.6%), H. choldokovskyi (1.7%), H. concinna (0.06%) and Haemaphysalis sp. (0.6%). H. punctata was the most abundant species, whereas H. concinna was the rarest species collected in humid and sub-humid zones on cattle, sheep and goats. H. choldokovskyi was principally collected from sheep and goats grazed in cold mountainous areas. The infested areas consisted of Caspian Sea (Guilan, Mazandaran, Golestan, and central provinces), mountainous (Azarbaiejan, Ardebil, Kohgilouyeh, and Kordestan) and semi-dessert (Khorasan, Semnan, Herman, Sistan, and Baluchestan) zones. The Caspian Sea zone (23.6%) was the most highly infested region. The results show that various species of Haemaphysalis ticks infest domestic ruminants in Iran and each tick species show characteristic geographical distributions.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.87-92
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• 2022

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of melatonin and selenium in freezing extenders on frozen-thawed rat sperm. Methods: Semen samples were collected from 20 adult male Wistar albino rats. Following dilution, the samples were divided into six groups: four cryopreserved groups with 1 mM and 0.5 mM melatonin and selenium supplements, and two fresh and cryopreserved control groups. The rapid freezing technique was used to freeze the samples. Flow cytometry was used to assess plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, and DNA damage, while computer-assisted sperm analysis was used to assess motility. Results: Total motility was higher in the 1 mM melatonin supplementation group than in the cryopreserved control group (mean±standard error of the mean, 69.89±3.05 vs. 59.21±1.31; p≤0.05). The group with 1 mM selenium had the highest plasma membrane integrity (42.35%±1.01%). The cryopreserved group with 0.5 mM selenium had the highest mitochondrial membrane potential, whereas the cryopreserved control group had the lowest (45.92%±4.53% and 39.45%±3.52%, respectively). Conclusion: Cryopreservation of rat semen supplemented with 1 mM melatonin increased sperm motility after freeze-thawing, while supplementation with 0.5 mM selenium increased mitochondrial activity.

• Advances in Energy Research
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.67-84
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• 2020

Given the recent surge of interest towards utilization of renewable distributed energy resources (DER), in particular in remote areas, this paper aims at designing an optimal hybrid system in order to supply loads of a village located in Esfarayen, North Khorasan, Iran. This paper illustrates the optimal design procedure of a standalone hybrid system which consists of Wind Turbine Generator (WTG), Photo Voltaic (PV), Diesel-generator, and Battery denoting as the Energy Storage System (ESS). The WTGs and PVs are considered as the main producers since the site's ambient conditions are suitable for such producers. Moreover, batteries are employed to smooth out the variable outputs of these renewable resources. To this end, whenever the available power generation is higher than the demanded amount, the excess energy will be stored in ESS to be injected into the system in the time of insufficient power generation. Since the standalone system is assumed to have no connection to the upstream network, it must be able to supply the loads without any load curtailment. In this regard, a Diesel-Generator can also be integrated to achieve zero loss of load. The optimal hybrid system design problem is a discrete optimization problem that is solved, here, by means of a recently-introduced meta-heuristic optimization algorithm known as Lightning Attachment Procedure Optimization (LAPO). The results are compared to those of some other methods and discussed in detail. The results also show that the total cost of the designed stand-alone system in 25 years is around 92M€ which is much less than the grid-connected system with the total cost of 205M€. In summary, the obtained simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the utilized optimization algorithm in finding the best results, and the designed hybrid system in serving the remote loads.