Modeling of physical properties of apple slices (Golab variety) using artificial neural networks

 Apple is one of the most popular fruits and of high economic value.  Sorting and grading of apple is needed for the fruit to be presented to local and foreign markets.  A study of apple physical properties therefore is imperative.  In this work, some physical properties of apples (Golab variety) such as main diameter, mass, volume and fruit density were determined and relation between mass and other parameters were modeled by using artificial neural networks.  In this study, we used Feed-Forward Back Propagation (FFBP) network with training algorithms, Levenberg-Marquard and Momentum.  The results show that Levenberg-Marquard algorithm give better result than Momentum algorithm do, and Feed-Forward Back Propagation (FFBP) network with topology 3-6-4-1, 3-6-1, 3-4-2-2-1 and 3-6-6-1; and Levenberg-Marquard algorithm could predict relation between mass and other parameters with error percentages 0.999999, 0.999999, 0.999999 and 0.999999; and mean square error 0.000078, 0.000118, 0.000158 and 0.000194. Keywords: apple (Golab variety), artificial neural network, Feed-Forward Back Propagation, Levenberg-Marquard algorithm, Momentum algorithm, physical propertie

Necrotizing fasciitis of the extremities: a prospective study

Necrotizing fasciitis is a rapidly progressive infection and is a necrosis of the fascia and surrounding tissues. Despite recent advances in its management, outcomes have not improved and mortality rate is still high. Between September 2007 and August 2009, we prospectively studied twenty-four histopathologically proven necrotizing fasciitis patients to assess the prognostic factors that indicate the outcome. Mortality rate was 20.8%. Twelve patients (50%) improved, while seven patients (29.2%) were complicated by limb loss. Mortality rates related to upper and lower limb involvement were similar (20% vs. 22.2%). The rates of gangrene and amputation in patients with diabetes mellitus were significantly higher than other comorbidities. Patients with gram-positive infections had significantly lower rates of amputation (15.4% vs. 54.5%, P = 0.04). Mean band cell count and serum potassium level were significantly higher in the nonsurvivors same as leukocyte count in the patients with gangrene, while serum sodium level was significantly lower in nonsurvivors. We conclude that hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, and increased band cells in the peripheral blood of patients may be useful parameters in distinguishing life-threatening necrotizing fasciitis; hence, we recommended lower threshold to amputation during surgery for this group of patients

Some Physical Properties of Apple cv. ‘Golab’

Apple is among the popular fruits and of a high economic value. Sorting and grading of apple is needed for the fruit to be presented to local and foreign markets. A study of apple physical properties therefore is imperative. Some physical properties of apples were determined. These properties include: dimensions, mass, volume, surface area, porosity, packaging coefficient and coefficient of static friction. The maximum, average and minimum diameters of apple were 65.04, 53.50 and 35.14 mm respectively. Average volume and mass were 104.5 cm3 and 74.87 g respectively. As for an apple pile, the density and apparent density were respectively calculated as 0.7427 and 0.2401 g/cm3. Maximum, average and minimum porosity of apples were 57.24, 54.13 and 50.17 percent with their sphericity being 1.0028, 0.93 and 0.84 respectively. Average static friction angle of apple on galvanized, glass and plywood surfaces were 20, 26.3 and 26.8 degrees respectively. Average packaging coefficient for the apples studied was 0.45

Mathematical Modeling of Kinetics of Thin-layer Drying of Apple (var. Golab)

Mathematical models of thin-layer drying of apple were studied and verified with experimental data. Fourteen different mathematical drying models were compared according to three statistical parameters, i.e. root mean square error (RMSE), chi-square (X2) and modeling efficiency (EF). The thin-layer drying kinetics of apple slices was experimentally investigated in a laboratory convective dryer and the mathematical modeling, using thin-layer drying models present in the literature, was performed. The main objective of the study was the verification of models already developed. Experiments were performed at air temperature between 40 and 80 °C, velocity of 0.5, 1 and 2 m/s, and thickness of thin layer of 2, 4, 6 mm. Besides the effects of drying air temperature and velocity, effects of slice thickness on the drying characteristics and drying time were also determined. Drying curves obtained from the experimental data were fitted to the-thin layer drying models. The results have shown that, model introduced by Midilli et al. (2002) obtained the highest value of EF = 0.99972, the lowest value of RMSE = 0.00292 and X2 = 10-5. Therefore this model was the best for describing the drying curves of apples. The effects of drying air temperature, velocity and thickness on the drying constant and coefficient were shown to compare the circumstances of drying

EDTA-Modified Mesoporous Silica as Supra Absorbent of Copper Ions with Novel Approach as an Antidote Agent in Copper Toxicity

Purpose: Mesoporous silica (MS) have been considered as a biocompatible compound and found to have various pharmaceutical applications. Recently, novel approaches in applications of MS as antidote agents were introduced. In this study, the capacity of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid modified mesoporous silica (MS-EDTA) was evaluated in in vitro and in vivo adsorption of copper (Cu). Methods: The MS-EDTA was characterized by fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction, while surface area was determined by N2 adsorption–desorption technique. Morphological studies were observed by high resolution-transmission electron microscopy and field emission-scanning electron microscopy and the sizes were determined by dynamic light scattering. The capacity of these particles for copper adsorption was investigated in vitro in both 1.2 and 7.2 pH. In in vivo animal study, the Cu adsorption efficiency of MS-EDTA in Cu-overdosed mice was evaluated. In this case, an animal model of acute copper poisoning was prepared. Results: The MS-EDTA with surface area of 352.35 was synthesized. Scanning electron microscope showed spherical particle formation with less than 500 nm in size. Transmission electron microscope images showed porous and honeycomb structure. FT-IR spectroscopy showed an appropriate formation of functional groups. Particle efficiency was investigated for Cu adsorption. MS-EDTA in both media showed a high adsorption capability for Cu (II) adsorption in pH=1.2 and pH=7.2. In addition, the study of Langmuir, Freundlich, and Redlich–Peterson adsorption models showed that copper adsorption by MS-EDTA followed the Freundlich model with multi-layer adsorption. In vivo evaluation showed that MS-EDTA could alleviate the symptoms of acute copper poisoning by lowering Cu plasma levels. Conclusion: Structural evaluation showed successful formation of MS-EDTA. In vitro analysis demonstrated that supreme Cu adsorption occurs in both pH conditions (7.2 and 1.2), and was especially more favorable in simulated intestinal pH (7.2). The in vivo studies in animal models with acute Cu poisoning showed that MS-EDTA could be a potent antidote agent

Synthesis and characterization of Zeolite/Fe3O4 nanocomposite by green quick precipitation method.

A green quick precipitation method was successfully used for synthesis of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4-NPs) on the surface of sodium/potassium type zeolite. Ferric chloride, ferrous chloride and sodium hydroxide aqueous solutions were used in the synthesis and coating of the Fe3O4-NPs on the surface of the zeolite to produce the zeolite/magnetic iron oxide nanocomposite (zeolite/Fe3O4 –NCs). The reaction was performed in aqueous suspension phase under the ambient condition as green chemistry method. Characterization with Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FT‒IR), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXF) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed the formation of Fe3O4-NPs with mean particle sizes of 3.55±1.02 nm on the surface of the zeolite

Gender Differences in COVID-19 Deceased Cases in Jahrom City, South of Iran

Objective: To evaluate the clinical and epidemiological features of deceased patients and comparing the discrepancies between male and female patients based on high prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), its irreversible effects and the rising mortality rate in Jahrom city. Methods: This is a descriptive-analytical retrospective study that was conducted from the beginning of March 2020 to the end of November 2020. The study population were included all patients with COVID-19 who admitted to Peymaniyeh Hospital in Jahrom and died of COVID-19. Clinical and demographic data were collected from medical records and analyzed by SPSS software. Results: In this study, 61 patients (57.54%) were men and 45 patients (42.36%) were women. The mean age was 68.7±18.33 in men and 68.82±14.24 in women. The mean hospitalization length was 9.69±7.75 days in men and 9.69±7.75 days in women patients. There was no statistically significant difference between men and women patients (p>0.05). The results showed that 17 (27.87%) men and 28 (45.9%) of women patients had hypertension and the prevalence of this disease was significantly higher in women than men (p=0.01). In this study, 7 (11.48%) men and 13 (21.31%) women had hyperlipidemia. The frequency of hyperlipidemia in women caseswas significantly higher than in men patients (p=0.024). Men cases’ diastolic blood pressure (mean=77.53) was significantly higher than women’s diastolic blood pressure at the same time with a mean of 71.42 (p <0.05). Conclusion: The findings of the study represented the mortality rate in men which is higher than women patients. The prevalence of underlying diseases such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia were higher in women than men. Despite higher mortality among women, symptoms such as fever and dyspnea were less common in women than men

The global burden of cancer attributable to risk factors, 2010-19 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Understanding the magnitude of cancer burden attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors is crucial for development of effective prevention and mitigation strategies. We analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 to inform cancer control planning efforts globally. Methods The GBD 2019 comparative risk assessment framework was used to estimate cancer burden attributable to behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risk factors. A total of 82 risk-outcome pairs were included on the basis of the World Cancer Research Fund criteria. Estimated cancer deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 2019 and change in these measures between 2010 and 2019 are presented. Findings Globally, in 2019, the risk factors included in this analysis accounted for 4.45 million (95% uncertainty interval 4.01-4.94) deaths and 105 million (95.0-116) DALYs for both sexes combined, representing 44.4% (41.3-48.4) of all cancer deaths and 42.0% (39.1-45.6) of all DALYs. There were 2.88 million (2.60-3.18) risk-attributable cancer deaths in males (50.6% [47.8-54.1] of all male cancer deaths) and 1.58 million (1.36-1.84) risk-attributable cancer deaths in females (36.3% [32.5-41.3] of all female cancer deaths). The leading risk factors at the most detailed level globally for risk-attributable cancer deaths and DALYs in 2019 for both sexes combined were smoking, followed by alcohol use and high BMI. Risk-attributable cancer burden varied by world region and Socio-demographic Index (SDI), with smoking, unsafe sex, and alcohol use being the three leading risk factors for risk-attributable cancer DALYs in low SDI locations in 2019, whereas DALYs in high SDI locations mirrored the top three global risk factor rankings. From 2010 to 2019, global risk-attributable cancer deaths increased by 20.4% (12.6-28.4) and DALYs by 16.8% (8.8-25.0), with the greatest percentage increase in metabolic risks (34.7% [27.9-42.8] and 33.3% [25.8-42.0]). Interpretation The leading risk factors contributing to global cancer burden in 2019 were behavioural, whereas metabolic risk factors saw the largest increases between 2010 and 2019. Reducing exposure to these modifiable risk factors would decrease cancer mortality and DALY rates worldwide, and policies should be tailored appropriately to local cancer risk factor burden. Copyright (C) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.Peer reviewe

Global injury morbidity and mortality from 1990 to 2017 : results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Correction:Background Past research in population health trends has shown that injuries form a substantial burden of population health loss. Regular updates to injury burden assessments are critical. We report Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2017 Study estimates on morbidity and mortality for all injuries. Methods We reviewed results for injuries from the GBD 2017 study. GBD 2017 measured injury-specific mortality and years of life lost (YLLs) using the Cause of Death Ensemble model. To measure non-fatal injuries, GBD 2017 modelled injury-specific incidence and converted this to prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs). YLLs and YLDs were summed to calculate disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Findings In 1990, there were 4 260 493 (4 085 700 to 4 396 138) injury deaths, which increased to 4 484 722 (4 332 010 to 4 585 554) deaths in 2017, while age-standardised mortality decreased from 1079 (1073 to 1086) to 738 (730 to 745) per 100 000. In 1990, there were 354 064 302 (95% uncertainty interval: 338 174 876 to 371 610 802) new cases of injury globally, which increased to 520 710 288 (493 430 247 to 547 988 635) new cases in 2017. During this time, age-standardised incidence decreased non-significantly from 6824 (6534 to 7147) to 6763 (6412 to 7118) per 100 000. Between 1990 and 2017, age-standardised DALYs decreased from 4947 (4655 to 5233) per 100 000 to 3267 (3058 to 3505). Interpretation Injuries are an important cause of health loss globally, though mortality has declined between 1990 and 2017. Future research in injury burden should focus on prevention in high-burden populations, improving data collection and ensuring access to medical care.Peer reviewe

Multi-objective optimization of a gas-to-liquids (GTL) process with staged Fischer-Tropsch reactor

In the present research, multi-objective optimization (MOO) was applied to a natural gas-to-liquids (GTL) process with a multi-stage Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reactor. A CO2 stream was fed into the GTL plant’s endothermic steam reformer (SMR) to adjust the H2 to CO ratio of the SMR effluent. Three objective functions were considered in this paper; minimizing the amount of CO2 released to the atmosphere, maximizing carbon efficiency, and maximizing wax production. The degrees of freedom for the GTL process with single-stage FT reactor were recycle ratio to process and recycle ratio to the FT reactor. In addition, for the GTL process with two-stage FT reactor, the synthesis gas split ratio between the stages was considered as another degree of freedom. Maximizing wax production rate results in lower carbon efficiency and higher CO2 emission to the atmosphere. The amount of CO2 intake to the SMR in all cases was 256 tons/hr. With the same amount of utilized CO2 in the SMR, sectioning of the FT reactor to two similar stages notably increases the carbon efficiency and mass flow of wax compared to the single stage case