Reefer logistics and cool chain transport

Reefer logistics is an important part of the cool chain in which reefer containers are involved as the packaging for transporting perishable goods. Reefer logistics is challenging, as it deals with cost and time constraints as well as the product quality and sustainability requirements. In many situations, there is a trade-off between these factors (e.g., between transportation time and the quality of fresh products). Furthermore, considering the high value of reefers, the efficient logistics of is as important as the efficient cargo flows. This causes technical complications and the conflict of interests between actors, especially, between cargo owners (or shippers) and the asset owners (or transport/terminal operators). Improving the efficiency of reefer logistics calls for a thorough understanding of the trade-offs and complexities. This paper aims to help develop such an understanding using a systematic literature review and a socio-technical system analysis. The results can be used to provide managerial insights for actors involved in a cool chain to design tailored solutions for reefer

Analysis of vitellogenin gene structure in Caspian roach, Rutilus caspicus (Pisces: Cyprinidae) during exposure to Atrazine

Chemical contamination of aquatic environments to EDCs has become a major focus of environmental toxicology research. The exposure of fishes to estrogenic EDCs in aquatic environments is most frequently assessed by analyzing Vitellogenin (Vg) (the egg yolk precursor protein) expression. Therefore, characterization of Vg gene is of high priority for EDCs bio-monitoring. So, we prepared liver tissue samples of Caspian roach, Rutilus caspicus for RNA extraction. Following the cDNA synthesis, specifically - designed primers were employed to amplify the Vg gene and ultimately sequence it. The evolutionary analyses of the sequence were performed using MEGA7 software. The obtained results indicated that the designed primers successfully amplified the partial cDNA sequence. Our results indicated that this sequence most probably belongs to the Vg1 form of the gene. Moreover, it was demonstrated that Caspian roach and Petroleuciscus esfahani share a common ancestor. Noteworthy, the study of Vg gene would be helpful to understand the molecular mechanisms of development and would be used to establish a bio-monitoring tool for detection of exposure to different EDCs

Analysis of vitellogenin gene structure in Caspian roach, Rutilus caspicus (Pisces: Cyprinidae) during exposure to Atrazine

Chemical contamination of aquatic environments to EDCs has become a major focus of environmental toxicology research. The exposure of fishes to estrogenic EDCs in aquatic environments is most frequently assessed by analyzing vitellogenin (Vg) (the egg yolk precursor protein) expression. Therefore, characterization of Vg gene is of high priority for EDCs bio-monitoring. So, we prepared liver tissue samples of Caspian roach, Rutilus caspicus for RNA extraction. Following the cDNA synthesis, specifically-designed primers were employed to amplify the Vg gene and ultimately sequence it. The evolutionary analyses of the sequence were performed using MEGA7 software. The obtained results indicated that the designed primers successfully amplified the partial cDNA sequence. Our results indicated that this sequence most probably belongs to the Vg1 form of the gene. Moreover, it was demonstrated that Caspian roach and Petroleuciscus esfahani share a common ancestor. Noteworthy, the study of Vg gene would be helpful to understand the molecular mechanisms of development and would be used to establish a bio-monitoring tool for detection of exposure to different EDCs

Gli effetti sul flusso aereo nasale della turbinoplastica inferiore in corso di rinosettoplastica

La rinoplastica è una procedura chirurgica molto comune e al tempo stesso di elevata complessità. Uno degli aspetti più discussi di tale chirurgia sono gli insoddisfacenti esiti funzionali dovuti spesso ad un eccessivo restringimento dell’area della valvola nasale. Alcune procedure, come la turbinoplastica inferiore, possono favorire la prevenzione di tali problematiche ostruttive. L’intento del presente studio è quello di indagare gli effetti della turbinoplastica inferiore sulla resistenza nasale e sull’ostruzione respiratoria. In 50 pazienti è stata effettuata un’analisi preoperatoria e sei mesi dopo rinoplastica con turbinoplastica inferiore mediante rinomanometria anteriore attiva. Nessuno dei pazienti ha lamentato sintomatologia ostruttiva nasale nel preoperatorio o nel corso del postoperatorio. In accordo con i dati rinomanometrici sia le resistenze inspiratorie che quelle espiratorie hanno presentato valori migliori nel postoperatorio, ma solo le resistenze espiratorie hanno presentato una significatività statistica (p = 0,034). Le differenze in termini di flusso nasale fra maschi, femmine e differenti gruppi di età non sono state significative (p > 0,05). In conclusione dai dati del nostro studio emerge che la rinosettoplastica, associate a turbinoplastica parziale non ha un impatto negativo sulla funzionalità nasale ed in particolare sul flusso aereo attraverso le cavità nasali

A comparative study on the equine and camelid antivenoms upon cardiovascular changes induced with Hemiscorpius lepturus venom in rats

Objective(s): In this study, the neutralizing abilities of the equine and the recently introduced camelid antivenoms on the hemodynamic parameters (inotropism, chronotropism, and arrhythmogenicity) were assessed following envenomation by Hemiscorpius lepturus venom in rats. Materials and Methods: At first, the electrophoretic profiles of both products were obtained by using the SDS-PAGE method (12.5%) and stained with Coomassie blue and silver nitrate. Secondly, different doses of the camelid antivenom (10, 50, and 100 μl) were given intravenously in 10 min before venom injection (400 μg/rat). The neutralizing potencies of camelid and equine antivenoms were measured by preincubation (100 μl) with H. lepturus venom for 30 min at room temperature. Finally, equal amounts of the antivenoms were injected intravenously to observe the hemodynamic changes. Results: Based on the electrophoretic profile, it was evident that undesired proteins significantly decreased in equine antivenom, owing to impurities. Pretreatment with the camelid antivenom (100 μl), neutralized the elevation of the mean arterial pressure evoked with scorpion venom injection (88.15±4.56 versus 10.2±1.23 percent at the 8th min). The Incubation of the venom and the camelid antivenom counteracted the hemodynamic changes, but the equine product had no effect. The intravascular injection of the equine antivenom transiently increased the mean arterial pressure as compared to the control (108.67±8.63 mmHg versus 52.67±1.93 mmHg at the 10th min). Conclusion: The most obvious finding emerging from this study was that the camelid antivenom neutralized the hemodynamic changes in rats significantly, but in comparison, the equine antivenom had just a minor ability

Shape-Based Separation of Micro-/Nanoparticles in Liquid Phases

The production of particles with shape-specific properties is reliant upon the separation of micro-/nanoparticles of particular shapes from particle mixtures of similar volumes. However, compared to a large number of size-based particle separation methods, shape-based separation methods have not been adequately explored. We review various up-to-date approaches to shape-based separation of rigid micro-/nanoparticles in liquid phases including size exclusion chromatography, field flow fractionation, deterministic lateral displacement, inertial focusing, electrophoresis, magnetophoresis, self-assembly precipitation, and centrifugation. We discuss separation mechanisms by classifying them as either changes in surface interactions or extensions of size-based separation. The latter includes geometric restrictions and shape-dependent transport properties

A comparative investigation of marginal adaptation and surface defects of MTA and root MTA as two root end filling materials

Keywords: Marginal adaptation, Confocal microscope, Stereomicroscope, MTA, RMTA, Retrograde fillin

Response of Spring Safflower Cultivars to Irrigation Intervals in Birjand Condition

Abstract In order to evaluate the effect of irrigation intervals on yield and yield components of three spring safflower cultivars (Carthamus tinctorius L.) in Birjand, an experiment was conducted at research farm of faculty of Agriculture of Birjand University in 2007. Experiment was a split plot on the basis of randomized complete block design with four replications. Three irrigation intervals, including: 7, 14 and 21 days were randomized in main plots and three spring safflower cultivars, including: Kooce, P1 and IL111 were allocated to subplots. The highest yield was obtained from Irrigation with 7 days and cultivars of Kooce with mean seed yield of 2653.2 kg/ha. In this irrigation treatment yield of cultivars P1 with 16% reduction was not different from Kooce, but cultivar IL111 with approximately 30% lower yield showed a significant difference with P1. In all three cultivars the lowest seed yield was obtained from 21-day irrigation interval. Mean seed yield in this treatment was 1069.46 kg/ha and reduced by 53% compared to yield in 7-day irrigation intervals. The influence of irrigation intervals in this situation on cultivar IL111 was considerably more than two other cultivars. The results showed that cultivar Kooce had the best yield with 7-day irrigation intervals in Birjand condition. Keywords: Irrigation interval, Safflower, Yiel

Alignment of liquid crystals with periodic submicron structures ablated in polymeric and indium tin oxide surfaces

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