Measuring Picking Force of Sunflower Seeds and Prediction of Reasonable Range of Air-Jet Parameters to Remove Sunflower Seeds from the Head

To design a new machine which removes the seeds of sunflowers based on air-jet impingement, picking force of five varieties of sunflower seeds was measured. Effects of the loading rate, sunflower head’s diameter, the location of the seeds on the head and the number of the days after harvesting on picking force of seeds were studied. The tests were conducted 1, 2, 3 and 4 days after harvesting. Also theoretical air-jet impingement forces for four levels of nozzle diameter, four levels of jet temperature and eight levels of pressure of reservoir to which the jet were calculated. With the increase of the sunflower heads’ diameter and the loading rate from 50 to 150 g min-1, the values of the picking force increased. With the increase of the distance between the location of the seeds and the center of the head, the values of the picking force decreased. Comparison between the experimental results and the theoretical calculations indicated that removing the sunflower seeds using nozzles with 2 mm is not possible. Also when the supply pressure is less than 5 bar, nozzles with a 4 mm diameter cannot be used to remove the sunflower seeds from the heads. The results indicate that using a nozzle with a diameter of 6 to 8 mm and pressure of 6 to 8 bar seems to be suitable for separating the seeds from SH, though more studies are required

Effect of air-jet impingement parameters on the removing of sunflower seeds from the heads in static conditions

Due to the success of air-jet in food and agricultural sciences, in order to eliminate a number of problems in mechanical methods of removing sunflower seeds from the head, a new method was invented based on impingement jets.  In fact, the aim of presenting the air-jet impingement method was not to design this simple machine.  But when we started designing the final machine, we realized that we need to take a step back and study the jet parameters in simple and static state.  The effect of the seeds’ location on sunflower head, reservoir pressure, the angle of impingement, nozzle diameter and the distance between the nozzle outlet and the surface of the sunflower head on the removed area of sunflower head in static conditions were examined.  The regions removed by the impingement of the air-jet were photographed and the area of the removed regions was calculated. Response surface methodology was used for designing experiments for all three regions of sunflower head of “Dorsefid” variety.  Based on the obtained results of two varieties, on side, middle and central regions, removing seeds using 30°, 60° and 90° angle of impingement is advised respectively.  The results indicated that the area of the removed regions was increased with the increase of the nozzle diameter and reservoir pressure. Also the removed area increased with the increase of the distance between the nozzle outlet and the surface of the SH at first, but then decreased. The optimal distance between the nozzle outlet and the surface of the SH ranges between 24 to 28 mm

Effect of Somatic Cell Count on Milk Yield in Diff erent Parities and Stages of Lactation in Holstein Cows of Iran

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between somatic cell score (SCS) and milk yield in different stages of lactation for cows in different parities. Records between June 2003 and January 2014 from 209,781 cows in lactations one to nine in 845 herds, comprising 2,500,407 monthly test-day (TD) records extracted from the animal breeding center, were used. The MIXED procedure of SAS software was used to investigate the effect of SCS on milk yield in different stages of lactation. Defined model considered herd, year-season of calving, month of TD, weeks in lactation and previous dry period length as fixed effects and calving age and SCS as covariate. Lactations were divided into six stages and analyses were performed within each stage. Also, different lactations were analyzed separately. The amount of daily milk yield loss associated with increased SCS was higher with increased number of parity and also later in lactation (especially after peak in week nine). The regression coefficient for milk yield on SCS was -0.539 to -0.635 in different stages of lactation in first parity cows, while that was between -0.777 to -1.053 in third lactation cows

Measuring some physical properties of sunflower (helianthus annus l.) head and modeling dimensions

For 100 sunflower head, maximum and minimum diameters, thickness, height of the ground, and mass of all seeds on sunflower head (SH) for five conventional varieties were measured.  To examine the correlation between maximum SH diameter and minimum SH diameter, SH thickness, SH height from the ground and SH seeds mass, linear regression method was used.  Also SH diameter and SH thickness of four sunflower hybrids varieties were measured.  Log-normal, Weibull and Generalized extreme value (G.E.V) distribution were used in order to model SH diameter and SH thickness distributions of all varieties and hybrids; also, Kolmogorov-Smirnov methods were used for comparison of all probability density.  Results indicated that value of average of dimensions, geometric and arithmetic mean diameter, head height from the ground, and mass of the seeds on each head of Dorsefid and Sirena varieties were more and less than the other varieties, respectively.  For all varieties, there was linear correlation between maximum SH diameter and minimum SH diameters, SH thickness and mass of seeds; while there wasn’t any correlation between SH height and maximum SH diameter.  Results showed that whenever skewness and kurtosis had positive values, Log-normal and G.E.V distribution had good performance and whenever skewness and kurtosis had negative values, Weibull and G.E.V distribution had good performance based on Kolomogrov-Smirnov methods

Physical properties and modeling for sunflower seeds

For designing the dehulling, separating, threshing, sizing and planting machines for sunflower, physical and mechanical properties of sunflower seeds should be known.  In this work some physical properties of three varieties of sunflower seeds, distance between the adjacent seeds on the sunflower head (SH), length, width, thickness, mass of the individual seeds,  1000- seeds mass, and changing these parameters with location of seeds on SH were measured.  Then shape properties, including geometric mean diameter, sphericity, surface area, projected area and volume of the seeds were calculated.  Variations of the shape properties of the seeds on the SH were studied.  Statistical indices for dimensional and shape parameters were calculated.  For Mikhi, Sirena, and Songhori varieties, true and bulk densities, porosity, angle of repose on wood and galvanized surfaces were calculated by using standard methods in the moisture of 9.15, 5.26 and 5.62% (w.b.), respectively.  The distribution of distance between adjacent seeds on SH was modeled by using three continuous statistical distributions namely Normal, two-parameter Log-normal and two-parameter Weibull distribution.  Size and mass of seeds were modeled with two-parameter Weibull distribution.  The parameters of the probability density functions (PDF) were estimated, then evaluated, and the predictive performances of the models were compared.  Log likelihood goodness of fit test was used to test how well different PDFs work for prediction of the distance between seeds on sunflower head, size and mass of seeds.   The results for three varieties showed that when the distance between locations of the seed from center of the sunflower head increased, size, shape properties and mass of seed, increased, too.  The values of true and bulk density, porosity and angle of repose on wood and galvanized surfaces for Mikhi variety were 497.500 kg/m3, 331.027 kg/m3, 33.46% , 25.08° and 22.23°, for Sirena were 580.368 kg/m3, 422.015 kg/m3, 27.28%, 26.80° and 23.86°, and for Songhori were 471.746 kg/m3, 319.346 kg/m3, 32.30%, 24.39° and 21.70° respectively.  Modeling result for the distance between adjacent seeds on SH showed that, Log-normal distribution model fits the empirical probability density well and two-parameter Weibull distribution had worst performance for prediction.  Also modeling result for the distance between adjacent seeds on showed that whenever Skewness and Kurtosis had negative value, Weibull distribution was best fit.  Statistical analyses for dimensional properties and mass showed that in most cases, both Skewness and Kurtosis had negative values.  Therefor for modeling dimensional properties and mass, Weibull distribution was used. Keywords: sunflower seed, normal modeling, two-parameter log-normal modeling, two-parameter Weibull distribution modeling, physical properties

Determination of some physical properties of virgin olive fruits

Information on physical properties of virgin olive fruit, especially those grown in Iran,arenot available in literatures. Some physical properties of Mari variety of virgin olive fruits,namely: dimensional properties (length, width, thickness, arithmetic mean diameter, geometric mean diameter, sphericity, volume of the fruit, surface area and projected area), gravimetric properties(unit mass of fruit, 1,000 fruit mass, bulk density, true density and porosity), frictional properties (angle of repose and coefficient of friction), modeling dimensional properties and mass (using normal distribution) were studied. Also sphericity, volume, surface area and projected area were calculated using different theoretical equations. Length, width and thickness of fruits ranged from 18.46 mmto 27.63 mm, 15.80 mmto 21.99 mm and 14.77 mm to 20.33 mm, respectively. Bulk density of fruits increasedfrom 590.78 kgm-3 to 646.51kgm-3 as the volume container increased from 500 ml to 2,000 ml and true density of 1,059.14kgm-3were obtained. The highest value forangle of repose and coefficient of friction amongplywood, rubber, iron and galvanized surfaceswererecorded for iron surface and the lowest value was recorded for galvanized surface.   Keywords: normal distribution, dimensional properties, gravimetric properties, frictional properties, modelin

Design, construction and evaluation of preliminarily machine for removing sunflower seeds from the head using air-jet impingement

To design a sunflower machine for removing seeds from sunflower head (SH) based on air-jet impingement, preliminarily model of such machine was designed, constructed and evaluated.  Effects of the seed location, angle of impingement, distance between nozzle outlet and sunflower head, and rotational velocity of sunflower head on percentage of extracted seeds were examined.  In order to examine the effects of air-jet parameters on percentage of removed seeds in different locations of seed on sunflower head, sunflower heads were divided into three regions, namely central region, middle region and side region.  Results indicated that in all three regions, with increasing rotational velocity from 10 to 30 rev/min, percentages of removed seeds from the SH decreased.  Results also indicated that in all three regions, with increasing distance between nozzle outlet and SH surface from 10 to 20 mm and decreasing distance between nozzle outlet and SH surface from 40 to 20 mm, percentage of removed seeds from the SH by air-jet increased.  Results indicated that in side region, with decreasing angle of impingement from 90% to 30%, of removed seeds from the SH by air-jet increased and in middle and central regions, with increasing angle of impingement from 30º to 60º and decreasing angle of impingement from 90º to 60º, percentages of removed seeds from the SH by air-jet increased.  Also in all tests, no seed damaged due to air-jet impinging was observed.   Keywords: preliminarily model; angle of impingement; nozzle; rotational velocity; sunflower head; seed locatio

Some physical properties of almond nut and kernel and modeling dimensional properties

Three main dimensions of nut and kernel of almonds were measured.  Then some dimensional properties of nut and kernel were calculated.  Effect of the moisture content on bulk density, true density, porosity and coefficient of friction of kernels and nuts were studied.  Angle of repose on iron, plywood and galvanized sheet were measured.  Also in order to examine the correlation between two dimensions of kernels and nuts and correlation between one dimension of nuts and similar dimension of kernels, linear and quadratic regression were used.  Length, width and thickness distributions of nuts and kernels were modeled using normal, log normal, Weibull and Generalized Extreme Value distributions.  For modeling other dimensional properties, only Generalized Extreme Value was used.  The estimated parameters of the PDF for three main dimensions of nuts and kernels indicated that G.E.V was best fit.  With increasing moisture content of the kernels from 4.20% to 29.64% (w.b.), true density and porosity were increased from 939.629 to 1,077.428 kg m-3 and 37.704% to 57.088%, respectively; and bulk density was decreased from 585.350 kg m-3 to 462.343 kg m-3.  When the moisture content of the nuts increased from 4.03% to 28.13% (w.b.), true density and porosity were increased from 1,025.124 kg m-3 to 1,149.700 kg m-3 and 38.562% to 56.55%, respectively, and bulk density was decreased from 629.81 kg m-3 to 499.532 kg m-3.  Values of coefficient of friction on all surfaces were increased with increasing moisture content.   Keywords: gravimetric properties, regression, log likelihood, normal distribution, Weibull distribution,generalized extreme value distribution, almond nu

Cerebral Protection During Coronary Artery Bypasses Grafting in Bilateral Total Internal Carotids Occlusion: Case Report

Introduction: The best management for the patient with coronary artery disease (CAD) that requires emergent coronary bypass graft surgery (CABG) with bilateral total internal carotid artery occlusions previously reported. Here we report two successful cases of CABG with additional occlusion in the circle of Willis anterior or posterior communicating artery “incomplete cow” with onpump technique and cerebral protection considerations. Case Presentation: Bilateral carotid artery occlusion, coronary artery disease, and emergency operation with cardiopulmonary bypass are associated with increased stroke, especially when there is one additional occlusion of the cerebral artery in the circle of Willis. Routine preoperative carotid artery sonography and selective carotid angiography revealed bilateral total carotid occlusion in both cases in addition, CT-angiography also confirmed occlusions of right posterior communicating in the first case and left posterior communicating artery in the second case. Collateral circulation feeding in the intracranial circulations originated mainly from the vertebrobasilar system (compensatory phase) preoperative physical examinations showed no neurological deficit. Operation was done successfully with moderate hypothermia and different cerebral protection considerations and postoperative courses were uneventful and patients discharged from hospital seven days post operation. Conclusions: Anesthesia should consider hemodynamic management and avoid significant tachycardia or bradycardia and severe hypertension or hypotension

A 10-year-old Child with Severe Subglottic Stenosis Following Intubation: A Case Report

Background: Subglottic stenosis is among the most common airway problems in children, i.e., acquired or congenital. More than 90% of acquired cases are secondary to endotracheal intubation and occur iatrogenically. Subglottic stenosis is an unexpected problem that requires timely diagnosis and intervention. Most cases of subglottic stenosis in children are mild to moderate. Case Presentation: The presented patient was a 10-year-old child who, after long intubation due to head trauma following early discharge from the surgical center, was referred to the Children’s Hospital on the same day with a complaint of high fever and shortness of breath. With the development of respiratory distress and cyanosis, the patient was transferred to the intensive care unit. Due to the impossibility of passing the tracheal tube with the appropriate age for the patient, the initial diagnosis of subglottic stenosis was established and a tracheostomy was performed. Diagnostic bronchoscopy confirmed severe subglottic stenosis, and the child was referred to a specialized Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT) center for the repair of the tracheal stenosis. Conclusion: One of the most common causes of stridor in children is subglottic stenosis following prolonged intubation. Recognizing the predisposing factors, prevention, strong clinical suspicion, timely diagnosis, and treatment can prevent further adverse complications or consequences in children