Site selection for coldwater fish culture using GIS in Golestan province of Iran

In an attempt to provide a scientific basis and to discern data gaps for sustainable aquaculture expansion, we conducted a land evaluation and land use planning study to delineate areas suitable for coldwater fish culture complexes in the Golestan Province of Iran. The study was based on systematic land evaluation, a modified version of the McHarg cartographic method drawing upon ecological, social and economic factors. The minimum mapped area was 1.25t1.25Km and the Province was classified into suitable, medium, poor and unsuitable units. Elevation, slope, aspect, hydrography, temperature, evaporation, lithology, pedology, landuse, proximity to roads, protected areas and water resources were the factors included in the study. We successfully applied the method to the Province that resulted in distinguishing areas suitable for coldwater fish culture. Of the factors included in the study, proximity to roads was found to play important role in allocating an area to the activity. Also, slope, elevation, water temperature and evaporation were the other factors that helped in discerning the areas. We found that some parts of the province are amenable to the expansion of the aquaculture activities. Of the surface area of the Province, around 53 kilometers were found to be suitable for the culture. Also, 54 kilometers were moderately suitable and 68 kilometers were poorly suitable for the activity

Optimum conditions for protein extraction from tuna processing by-products using isoelectric solubilization and precipitation processes

The by-product from tuna processing is a potential source of edible protein. Therefore, it is very important to extract protein from such raw materials for human food. In this study the optimum pH for protein extraction from tuna by-products was optimized by using isoelectric solubilization and precipitation processes. The Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and the single factor model were used for optimization of the protein extraction process. From ANOVA (one-factor design) tests, significant effects were detected for process variables, functional properties and stability between tuna protein isolate prototypes extracted at acidic and alkaline pH, the latter having the least Total Volatile Basic Nitrogen (TVB-N) and Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS), but the highest Water Holding Capacity (WHC), hardness, cohesiveness, springiness and viscosity values. The highest yield percentage was found for the alkaline aided process, too. The alkali-aided process recovered proteins of higher whiteness than the acid-aided process. Accordingly the optimum pH of protein extraction was obtained. The model was then validated and maximized based on the functional properties, stability and recovery yield data. Under the optimized pH, the experimental values were in good agreement with those predicted by the software. Then the properties of the optimum prototypes were compared to the fish protein isolated from different by-products. The results suggest that the proteins recovered from tuna processing by-products could be a valuable source of protein ingredient for fortification/ developing formulated ready-to-eat products

Self-healing by Diels-Alder cycloaddition in advanced functional polymers: A review

The ability of artificial materials to be healed efficiently, mimicking the living organisms, exhibits a great deal of potential advantages that can revolutionise the operation and maintenance of materials used in various applications. Such self-healable smart materials have been extensively researched in the last few decades, leading to the development of different physical and chemical synthesis approaches. Among these methods, chemical techniques based on reversible cycloadditions or disulfide bonding provide obvious advantages in terms of repeatability, which holds prime importance in determining the commerciality of the healing approach. This review compiles the recent advances in the field of self-healing polymers where the healing ability is introduced by reversible cycloaddition reactions while focusing mainly on the Diels-Alder (DA) reaction. DA is a [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction where diene and dienophile pairs are used to fabricate thermally reversible crosslinked networks. These covalent bonds provide the necessary reversibility to the healing matrix and impart the desired strength to the polymeric material. There is a considerable body of recent literature where DA bonding has been employed either on its own or along with other healing mechanisms to impart self-healing to polymers. However, lack of a systematic review discussing these works makes it difficult for a beginner to cope with advancements in this field. Most early studies have focused on the healing stimuli and efficiency of healing in polymers but with this review, we would like to explore the healing thermodynamics governing the rupture–repair process in DA polymers along with the use of advanced spectroscopic techniques to study them and their applicability in thermosets, epoxy resins, biopolymers, and polymer nanocomposites. Novel applications for such advanced functional polymers, multifunctional healable polymers, and the outlook for future research, opportunities and challenges in the area are also discussed

The acceptable noise level benefit from directionality for listeners with severe hearing loss

Objectives. Directional microphone technology can enhance the speech intelligibility and listening comfort of listeners with hearing impairment. The main aim of this study is to investigate and compare the benefit derived by listeners with severe hearing loss from directional microphone technology with that derived by listeners with moderate hearing loss. Methods. The acceptable noise levels (ANLs) of two groups of listeners with moderate or severe hearing impairment (17 subjects in each group) were measured under unaided, omnidirectional-baseline-aided, and directional-aided conditions. Results. Although the absolute ANL of the listeners in the severe hearing loss group was significantly higher than that of the listeners in the moderate hearing loss group, their derived benefit was equivalent to that derived by the listeners in the moderate hearing loss group. ANL and hearing loss degree were significantly related. Specifically, the ANL increased with the severity of hearing loss. Conclusion. Directional microphone technology can provide the benefits of listening comfort to listeners with severe hearing loss. © 2018 by Korean Society of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

Study the added value and acceptance of fish patty produced by FPC of Abramis brama

Abrams brama distribution in the Caspian and most of it is in the Anzali lagon. Completed in the rivers to spawn or hibernate done, hibernation mass takes place in the well of the rivers, which feed the crustaceans, mollusks and aquatic insects are born. This fish is almost vertical and is able to search for food in the mud in shallow waters and residents due to competition for food with other species of plankton and plants inevitably feed. This fish has an economic value and good taste for meat consumption has become common. Fish patty prepared food that is easy to cook and good demand. The benefits of fish patty are the most of fresh fish, good use of raw materials, availability of several species of fish in the product, socio-economic benefits for fishermen and fishing industry, product nutritional value and high in protein rejection. Fish Protein Concentrate is a healthy food products, durable and of high nutritional value of fish and hygienic manner in which the protein and other nutrients found in fresh fish and more compact than the long-term maintenance and diverse the second is for the production of food products. The study aimed at producing FPC type A string of fish, fish cakes prepared by the FPC obtained and reviewed the nutritional value, acceptance and endurance cookies generated at room temperature for one month . After examination of the nutritional value, shelf-life tests using factors of corruption, TVB-N, pH, TBArs and sensory tests showed that the most important indicator of the value of food, especially protein product treatments with better FPC and the factors corruption is not much difference between 5% FPC and blank treatment. The final product is important in terms of nutritional value and shelf life, group 2 has a significant difference with other treatments and the final product can be made on the basis of treatment 2

The Association of Vitamin D Receptor Gene BsmI Polymorphism with Multiple Sclerosis in Iranian Patients

Abstract: Background & Aims: 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25 (OH)2 D3), the biologically active form of vitamin D, exerts an immunosuppressive effect through binding to its specific nuclear receptor. The present case-control study was done to examine the possible association of BsmI polymorphism in vitamin D receptor gene (VDR gene) with severity of multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: 267 Iranian patients with MS and 292 ethnically and sex matched controls were included in this study. BsmI polymorphism in VDR gene was assessed by PCR-RFLP method. Results: No differences in the allelic distribution were observed in the patients as compared to the controls. Also no difference in genotype distribution of VDR-BsmI polymorphism was observed between patients and controls (p=0.43). Conclusion: Considering the significance of vitamin D3 as an immune system regulator and its inhibitory effects on MS, investigation on other VDR gene polymorphisms is recommended. Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, Vitamin D, Polymorphism, Ira

Effect of Hot Work on Properties of Nickel Based IC-221M Alloy

In this study, effect of hot work on microstructure and mechanical properties of nickel based alloy NiAl8Cr8MoZrB (IC-221M) was investigated. For this purpose, four types of hot work processes at 1000 and 1100 °C with various apply strain were done. Also two types of two stage hot work processes were performed. Our results show that low strain rate hot working causes to reduction of eutectic regions in the microstructure and ordering parameter of crystalline structure and increasing high temperature mechanical properties of as-cast alloy. Finally, two stage hot pressing process on the basis of dynamic recrystallization mechanism leads to increasing mechanical properties of alloy at 1000 °C