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Introduction In general, the model of decision making is discussed in the economic field. This model includes a five-step process that leads to a purchase. These steps include identifying the problem, seeking, evaluation of alternatives, selection and evaluation after the acquisition. Following the economic model of decision making, Mate selection can also be considered as a process. But for adapting the model of mate selection with the economic model of decision making, some theoretical modifications and adjustments has been done. Therefore, the mate selection process can be divided into three steps: 1- Seeking the potential partner 2- Searching information about a potential partner, and 3-Final decision and consultation about this decision. Sociology has been long faced with this problem that how can examine empirically the relationships between entities at different levels of society. In response to this problem, for the first time in 1940, the concept of “social network” was introduced by Radcliffe Brown in anthropology. The researchers have used the concept of “social network” as a metaphor to describe a complex set of relationships between people. There are several and almost similar definitions of the concept of “social network” that generally includes following points: 1-Social network includes social relations and social actors. 2- Social network is a set of social relations among the social actors. There are various types of social relations. Social actors can also be individuals, groups, and organizations. 3- In the network literature, “Tie” or “link” is the “social relation” and “node” is the “social actor”. Based on the points provided above and the subject of mate selection, the social network of mate selection is defined as “A set of social relations among the social actors who involve and play a role in the mate selection process including seeking the partner (introducing), Searching information about a partner (inquiry) and consulting with person about the final decision for marring with the target potential mate”. According to the Network theorists, social networks have different characteristics. One of the major categories of network characteristics has been carried out by Israel and Randers. According to him, these characteristics include structural characteristics of network (including size, diversity and composition of the network) and functional characteristics of network (social support). The following have been described each of these characteristics and its relationships to the subject of this research. Network size is the total number of people with whom one is connected or the total number of people who provide many different types of support for him. The larger the network size of mate selection, the person (respondent or “ego” in this study) will receive more support during the marital life. Since the chance of social support receiving from the network members of mate selection increases through the increasing the number of network members. The larger the network size of network, the chance of receiving support from one person among the set of persons increases. Network composition is determined by the percentage of certain relationships within the network; Percentage of relatives, friends, neighbors and colleagues. The more the ratio of relatives’ relations in the social network of mate selection, because of the social support that they provide for individuals throughout life, Leads to a more satisfaction in marital life. Network diversity is referred to the difference or similarity of network members with each other and central person (“ego”) according to the attributes such as sexuality, age, education and etc. The more the diversity in the social network of mate selection, because of the social support that provided for individuals throughout life, Leads to a more satisfaction in marital life. 1- The larger the network size of network, the chance of receiving support from one person among the set of persons increases. 2- The more the ratio of relatives’ relationships in the social network of mate selection, because of the social support that they provide for individuals throughout life, Leads to a more satisfaction in marital life. 3- The more the diversity in the social network of mate selection, because of the social support that provided for individuals throughout life, Leads to a more satisfaction in marital life. Material and Method The research conducted by survey method and data was collected by the interview technique. In this study, ego- centered network approach was used; meaning that the information about the characteristics of the social network mate selection were collected by the ego (the married men in this study); rather than of referring to all members of the network for information collecting. Statistical population of this study was “the all married men in Mashhad city in 1389”. The sampling method of this study was the combination of multi-stage clustering and stratified sampling. Cochran's formula is used to determine sample size that based on that formula, 180 married men has been estimated as a sample. Discussion of Results and Conclutions Descriptive findings showed that - The average size of social network of mate selection of each person was two (persons); meaning that on average two persons in the process of marriage, including the introduction of a marriage partner, and investigating about wife and counsel, had an active involvement. - Network composition of mate selection was more relatives; 80 percent of members of network had relative relationship with the ego and 80% of them are the family members. Overall, among the network of mate selection, the percentage of certain relationships with an order of preference, was relatives (80%, among which the 80 were the family members of ego), friends (7%), neighbors (4 %), colleagues (3%), and college classmates, acquaintances and in the last were strangers. - Members of social network of mate selection had a little diversity according to the economic - social status and it reflects the homogeneity of members of social network of mate selection. - Social network of mate selection provided more informational and advice support for ego at the mate selection process time and provide more social support during the marital life. - 66% of network mate selection members of married men were women and 33% were males. This point is quite consistent with Heidari's findings (1379).Therefore men get helped women more and women get helped men more. - Approximately, 80 percent of members of social network of mate selection had low and very low economic – social status, since the number of women in the social network of mate selection is more than men and women in the variables of economic – social status composed of education, job and salary had low rank. - On average, people's marital satisfaction is strong. Since the hypotheses of this research were there- variable, in order to check this hypotheses, structural equation modeling was used. Lisrel analysis showed that all three hypotheses were confirmed. Multiple regression results show that the size of social network of mate selection, has a large and significant effect on the diversity of social status of members of social network of mate selection (Beta coefficient of network size on social support was 0.71). The size of social network of mate selection has a positive impact on social support of social network of mate selection during the marital life; (Beta coefficient of network size on social support was 0.6). The social support of social network of mate selection has a positive effect on marital satisfaction during the marital life; it means that the more social support provided by social network of mate selection to ego, the marital satisfaction of ego increases. (Beta coefficient of support on marital satisfaction was 0.161.) The duration of marriage and the economic–social status of ego have positive effect on the marital satisfaction. Importantly, this research showed the important role of relative relationships on marriage. The presence of relatives in mate selection is a characteristic of Iranian culture as a collectivist culture. The relatives have longer familiar with the ego and have a greater knowing of personality and Morality of ego. The relatives who know the ego and also be involved in the mate selection process, supported him during his life, Therefore ego is more satisfied from his marital life, because of more supporting provided to him. Meanwhile, the more the number of people who involved in mate selection process – or the more the number of relatives involved in mate selection process - ego is more satisfied from marital life because of the more social support received.

This study investigated the contamination level and risk associated with toxic trace elements in springs’ water from Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Toxic trace elements, including Hg, As, and Zn, were analyzed by metalyzer, HM 2000 serial no. MY-011-006, while elements such as Cr, Al, B, Ni, Cu, Mn, and Fe were analyzed using Metalometer HM 2000 serial no. MM005-007, the United Kingdom. The mean concentrations of TTEs in water samples from Skardu were ordered as, Mn < Cu < Fe < Zn < Al < Cr < As < Ni < Hg, in Gilgit, Mn < Cu < Zn < Ni < B < Cr < Fe < As < Hg, in Ghizer Cu < Mn < Zn < Ni < Cr < Fe < As < Hg, while in Nagar the concentration of TTEs in water samples were ordered as Cu < Mn < Fe < Ni < Al < Cr < Zn < As < Hg. Results obtained from this study showed that the concentrations of As, Hg, Ni, Cr, Al, and Mn in some water samples were higher than the limits recommended by WHO and Pak-NDWQS. However, the chronic daily intake indices (CDIs) and health risk index (HRI) in all samples were found below the US-EPA standards. The correlation analysis revealed a positive association among different elements, which revealed that the sources of TTES in water samples were mainly geological strata and anthropogenic activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation aims to provide epidemiological features of the COVID-19 patients that admitted to Shahid Dr Hemin Teaching Hospital in Sulaimani city, Iraq. To carry out this work, cross-sectional method was used. A convenience sampling method was applied for data collection which started from 2nd October to 31th December 2020. The current study included only 371 patients who admitted for having COVID-19. The data were collected from patient’s medical record and a direct interview method was used for filling in the questionnaire forms. The collected data were statistically analysed by SPSS program with considering a p-value ≤ 0.05 as a significant interpretation. The findings show that the age of patients ranged from 19-95 years old and mean age of the participants was (63.69±12.73). The majority of patients 159 (42.9%) were between 65-79 years old and followed by 124 (33.4%) of them were between 50-64 years old. Male to female ratio was 2:1. Most of the patients were retired 119 (32.1%) in comparison to other occupations and illiterate patients 151(40.7%) were dominance over other patient’s education levels. In addition, majority of patients had hypertension 278(74.9%), diabetes 132 (35.6%) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) 130 (35.0%). On the other hand, regarding to condition of patients 230 (62.0%) and 141(38.0%) of them were in severe and moderate stage of disease respectively. Also, a. significant association were observed between the age group, occupation, education level, stage of the disease and patients’ outcome, while for gender, marital status and residency there were statistically non-significant. The presence of CVD, hypertension and diabetes increase the mortality rate among the patients. In conclusion, the age of COVID-19 patients has a great impact on increasing mortality rate and the presence of comorbidities among the COVID- 19patients significantly raise the mortality rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agroforestry is a system of land utilization that describes trees with different crops fused in a single area for farmers' net income. One or more agroforestry practices in one particular area usually have biological, environmental and economical interaction between the compounds. Whilst the main aim of the AFS is not only economic benefits but also modern studies show that AFS could be used as a prime source carbon pool. Up to 12-228-ton ha-1, with an average of 95 ton ha-1, can be stored via the AFS. Trees with crops can raise the carbon stocks to several folds compared to monocrop systems. In order to meet the CO2 assimilation targets anticipated at Kyoto while simultaneously maintaining sustainable farm production and preventing further deforestation, integration of agricultural practices and systems in C Sequestration and C trade projects can be highly useful. Pakistan is a low middle income with an average annual rate of growth of 216.6 million people. Agroforestry has a very important role and is a key part of Pakistan's daily life, particularly rural people. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa agroforestry is practiced in various models and shapes from the protection of naturally growing trees to the artificial cultivation of trees on agricultural lands. Agroforestry is an important timber and fuelwood source, with 70 percent of the urban and 97 percent of the rural domestic fuel wood being the main energy source in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for centuries. Two different agroforestry systems i.e. Agri-silviculture system and Agri-horti-silviculturesystem were selected at District Charsadda Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Moisture content was calculated by oven dry method. pH and EC was obtained from mettler Toledo meter. Organic matter was obtained by loss on ignition method in laboratory. To calculate soil organic carbon it was assumed that total organic matter contains 58% organic carbon contents or a relation i.e. organic carbon =SOM% multiply by 0.58. Statistical Analysis were conducted using. The jamovi project (2021) Version 1.6. The mean value of SOC for AHS system is 1.76% while that of AS system is 0.916%. The means of two systems are different from each other, the mean SOM value for AHS system was found to be 3.03% and for AS system it is 1.55%. Our results show that soil organic carbon had an inverse relationship with soil pH. High density of carbon in agricultural Lands including agroforestry is related to the high tree diversity that increases plant production hence increased biomass. Litter fall also contributes to C stock accumulation in Soil. It is the most important known pathway Connecting vegetation and soil and is a good indicator of aboveground productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigations of microbial communities over arsenic-polluted soils in an alpine stream are vital to collect pieces of evidence for their in situ-mediated bioremediation. It is the first time that microbial community activities are described in arsenic-polluted soils due to natural and anthropogenic sources along the alpine stream. Greater than 40 phyla from domain bacteria the 16S rRNA Illumina sequencing amplicons are exposed. In overall samples, Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA) states that the most dominant phyla were Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, and Actinobacteria. Our result described that canonical correspondence analysis was used to elaborate more geochemical factors including arsenic, sulfate, total organic carbon, redox potential, and pH influence on the distribution of microbial groups in studies soil samples. Furthermore, Spearman's rank correlation demonstrates a positive correlation between several specific taxonomic groups, refers to the phylotypes' possible role in arsenic biogeochemical cycling. The present research could link the knowledge gap and facilitate our understanding for the bioremediation of arsenic at contaminated sites. We described the microbial communities in arsenic-contaminated soils. CCA revealed that chemical parameters organized microbial communities. The effects of geochemical conditions on microbial community composition were examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant growth stimulating bacteria are very effective in immobilization of metals and reducing their translocation in plants through precipitation, and adsorption. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of chitosan- and hematite-modified biochar and bacterial inoculations on the immobilization of nickel (Ni) in polluted soil under wheat cultivation. Application of modified biochars and inoculation with Pseudomonas putida significantly increased both wheat root and shoot dry matter yields but decreased Ni phytoextraction efficiency. The Ni concentration, translocation factor and uptake in wheat shoot and root significantly decreased the application of either modified or unmodified biochars. Bacterial inoculation significantly decreased mean translocation factor and also root and shoot concentration and the uptake Ni in the shoot. Chitosan-modified biochar was the most influential treatment in decreasing Ni uptake by wheat followed by P. putida inoculation treatment. The results demonstrated positive effects of chitosan modified biochar and inoculation with P. putida in increasing dry matter yield and decreasing Ni uptake in wheat grown on Ni-contaminated soil. According to the results of present study, modified biochars application and bacterial inoculation are influential treatments which prevent Ni toxicity probably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]