Adjusted permutation method for multiple attribute decision making with meta-heuristic solution approaches

The permutation method of multiple attribute decision making has two significant deficiencies: high computational time and wrong priority output in some problem instances. In this paper, a novel permutation method called adjusted permutation method (APM) is proposed to compensate deficiencies of conventional permutation method. We propose Tabu search (TS) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) to find suitable solutions at a reasonable computational time for large problem instances. The proposed method is examined using some numerical examples to evaluate the performance of the proposed method. The preliminary results show that both approaches provide competent solutions in relatively reasonable amounts of time while TS performs better to solve APM

Electrohydrodynamic atomization of Balangu (Lallemantia royleana) seed gum for the fast-release of Mentha longifolia L. essential oil: characterization of nano-capsules and modeling the kinetics of release

The aim of this study is to optimize encapsulation of Mentha longifolia L. essential oil into Balangu (Lallemantia royleana) seed gum nano-capsules, to increase their utility as flavoring and bioactive agents in foods and beverages. Essential oil emulsions with Balangu seed gum (0.25 and 0.5% w/w) and various polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) concentrations (0.5, 1 and 2%) combined with Tween-20 (0.06, 0.08 and 0.1%) were electrosprayed. Increasing the concentration of PVA increased the emulsion viscosity and improved both loading capacity (77.56 to 84.68%) and encapsulation efficiency (81.54 to 87.82 %) of the essential oil within the structure of the Balangu gum nano-capsules. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) indicated that by increasing the amount of the gum (from 0.25 to 0.5%) and PVA (from 1 to 2%), the process could be made to produce nanofibers. The Mentha longifolia L. essential oil was entrapped in nanostructures without any chemical interaction with encapsulant material, this was demonstrated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The release mechanisms and kinetics of loaded Mentha longifolia L. essential oil were evaluated in different simulated food models (aqueous, acidic, alcoholic or alkalic and oily food models) and release profiles data were fitted to first order, Kopcha, Korsmeyer-Peppas, and Peppas-Sahlin models. The essential oil release profiles fitted well to the Peppas-Sahlin model for a range of simulated foods. The release mechanism of the essential oil from the nanostructure of the Balangu seed gum is mainly controlled by the Fickian diffusion phenomenon

Iran�s rural solid waste: Generation and composition

Background and purpose: Physical analysis of solid waste is the first step in waste management. In Iran, no data is available about rural solid wastes in the country. The aim of this study was to determine qualitative and quantitative analysis of rural solid wastes in Iran. Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, the data for national rural solid waste in 2012 was obtained from Iranian State Municipalities and Village Assistance Offices organization. Then the generation, per capita and physical composition of solid waste in rural areas in Iran were compared. Excel and SPSS V.17 were applied to analyze the data. Results: The average solid waste generation per capita was 444 g per day and total wastes in Iran�s rural areas was estimated at around 3.5 million tons per year. The majority of country�s rural solid wastes consisted of organic materials (52.53) and plastics (16) were the most valuable dry solid wastes. Conclusion: By applying composting method, not only the fertilizing capacity of the waste is used but also leachate, offensive odor and toxic gas generation would decrease. Recycling of dry solid waste in rural areas would reduce their cost of collection and disposal and also increases the profit from selling recycled materials. © 2016, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. All Rights reserved

Identifying Brain Network Topology Changes in Task Processes and Psychiatric Disorders

Hervorming Sociale Regelgevin

The in- vitro inhibitory effect of Barije (Ferula gummosa Boiss) essential oil loaded in Zein electrospun nanofibres on α-glucosidase and α-amylase level

The aim of this study was to produce nanofibres from zein incorporated with varying concentrations of Barijeh essential oil (BEO) (1-4% w/w) with anti-diabetic properties by electrospinning technique. BEO loaded nanofibres were characterised for its chemical composition, morphology, chemical structure, thermal behaviour and α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory. In addition, the kinetic release of BEO in simulated gastric and intestinal media are investigated. Among the various concentrations of zein studied (i.e. 15-40% w/v), 35% w/v zein solution yielded ribbon-like structures webs substantially free of defects with mean fibre diameters in the range of 425 nm-1µm.SEM and FT-IR results indicated that BEO was successfully entrapped in zein electrospun matrix, and nanofibres showed high encapsulation efficiency close to 95%. The encapsulated BEO also retained its antioxidant capacity in nanofibres, although it had been exposed to the high voltage during the process. BEO-loaded zein nanofibres showed α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition activity with an IC50 value ranging of 0.78±0.01 to 1.25±0.03 and 1.09±0.02 to 1.64±0.01 mg/ml, respectively. The models fitting results showed that the First order, Hixon-Crowell and Rigter-Peppas models were the best models for describing the release of BEO in simulated stomach media, intestinal conditions and the total time of release respectively. The feasibility of combining BEO within fibres provides a promising route for manufacture of novel delivery vehicle for controlling the diabetes

Optimization of Advanced Oxidation Process Based on Persulfate (Uv/Na2s2o8/Fe2+) for Phthalic Acid Removal from Aqueous Solutions with Response Surface Methodology

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Phthalic acid has high toxicity and low degradability which has put treatment of wastewater containing this compound prior to prevent its health and environmental hazards. Present study was conducted to Optimization of (UV/Na2S2O8/Fe2+) process for phthalic acid removal from aqueous solutions with response surface methodology. METHODS: This is an experimental study which was conducted at laboratory scale and synthetically in the cylindrical reactor containing UV-C lamp with 16 Watt power. Effects of variables including pH of solution (3-11), reaction time (0-60 min), concentration of persulfate (0.1-0.5 mmol/L), concentration of Fe2+ (0.1-0.2 mmol/L) and initial phthalaic acid (5-50 mg/L) on efficacy of process were investigated by response surface method (box Behnken method). The residual concentration of phthalic acid was measured by HPLC at a wavelength of 254 nm FINDINGS: The removal efficiency of phthalic acid increased by increasing pH level and reaction time. The maximum removal efficiency of phthalic acid attained as 98 percent at pH of 11, reaction time of 60 min, 0.15 mmol/L of Fe2+ concentration, persulfate concentration of 0.3 mmol/L and 5 mg of phthalic acid. The process of removing phthalic acid followed from first-order kinetic (R2=0.9766). The effects of all studied independent variables with p<0.05 on removal efficiency of phthalic acid were found significant. CONCLUSION: Obtained results indicated that the UV/Na2S2O8/Fe2+ process for removing phthalic acid from the aquatic environments has high efficiency. This issue confirms the acceptable efficiency of mentioned method for the removal of phthalic acid