Mechanical damage to corn seeds

The objective of this research was to evaluate and model the mechanical damage to corn seeds under impact loading. The experiments were conducted at moisture contents of 7.60 to 25% (wet basis) and at the impact energies of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 J, using an impact damage assessment device. The results showed that impact energy, moisture content, and the interaction effects of these two variables significantly influenced the percentage of physical damage in corn seeds (p<0.01). Increasing the impact of the energy from 0.1 to 0.3 J caused a significant increase in the mean values of damage from 23.73 to 83.49%. The mean values of physical damage decreased significantly by a factor of 1.92 (from 83.75 to 43.56%), with an increase in the moisture content from 7.6 to 20%. However, by a higher increase in the moisture from 20 to 25%, the mean value of damage showed a non-significant increasing trend. There was an optimum moisture level of about 17 to 20%, at which seed damage was minimized. An empirical model composed of seed moisture content and energy impact was developed for accurately describing the percentage of physical damage to corn seeds. It was found that the model has provided satisfactory results over the whole set of values for the dependent variable

Radiation cancer risk from doses to newborn infants hospitalized in neonatal intensive care units in children hospitals of Isfahan province

Background: This study aimed to invesgate dose area product (DAP), effecve dose, and radiaon risk in newborn infants hospitalized in neonatal intensive care units in Isfahan and Kashan. Materials and Methods: During a period of six months, DAP for chest X-ray examinaons for newborn infants hospitalized in NICUs of five special hospitals including Behesh (in Kashan), Al-Zahra, Imam Hossein, Amin and Goldis (in Isfahan) were measured using DAP meter. Then, using the dose area product (DAP) and conversion coefficients, the effecve dose was calculated. Radiaon risk per single exposure was esmated by applying 2.8 × 10-2 and 13 × 10-2 factors per Sievert. Also, to esmate the radiaon risk in the exposed populaon, the collecve effecve dose and the menoned factors were used. Results: The mean DAP, the effecve dose, the radiaon risk per single exposure, and the radiaon risk in the exposed populaon were found to be 15.37 ± (1.19), 45.52 ± (3.28), [1.27-5.91] × 10-6, and [0.0045-0.021], respecvely. Conclusion: Findings indicate that the effecve dose and therefore radiaon risk in NICUs for newborn infants is higher than that of other studied cies in Iran. Consequently, it is necessary to aCempt to reduce radiaon dose while maintaining the image quality. In addion, theorecal and praccal training programs are needed to increase the knowledge and skills of radiologic technologists on the concept of As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) and possible radiaon cancer risks

Zero tension Kardar-Parisi-Zhang equation in (d+1)- Dimensions

The joint probability distribution function (PDF) of the height and its gradients is derived for a zero tension $d+1$-dimensional Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ) equation. It is proved that the height`s PDF of zero tension KPZ equation shows lack of positivity after a finite time $t_{c}$. The properties of zero tension KPZ equation and its differences with the case that it possess an infinitesimal surface tension is discussed. Also potential relation between the time scale $t_{c}$ and the singularity time scale $t_{c, \nu \to 0}$ of the KPZ equation with an infinitesimal surface tension is investigated.Comment: 18 pages, 8 figure

Classical Analogue of the Ionic Hubbard Model

In our earlier work [M. Hafez, {\em et al.}, Phys. Lett. A {\bf 373} (2009) 4479] we employed the flow equation method to obtain a classic effective model from a quantum mechanical parent Hamiltonian called, the ionic Hubbard model (IHM). The classical ionic Hubbard model (CIHM) obtained in this way contains solely Fermionic occupation numbers of two species corresponding to particles with \up and \down spin, respectively. In this paper, we employ the transfer matrix method to analytically solve the CIHM at finite temperature in one dimension. In the limit of zero temperature, we find two insulating phases at large and small Coulomb interaction strength, $U$, mediated with a gap-less metallic phase, resulting in two continuous metal-insulator transitions. Our results are further supported with Monte Carlo simulations.Comment: 12 figure

Crushing susceptibility of vetch seeds under impact loading

Mechanical damage of seeds due to harvest, handling and other process is an important factor that affects the quality and quaintly of seeds. The objective of this research was to determine the effects of moisture content and the impact energy on the breakage susceptibility of vetch seeds. The experiments were conducted at moisture contents of 7.57 to 25% (wet basis) and at the impact energies of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 J, using an impact damage assessment device. The results showed that impact energy, moisture content, and the interaction effects of these two variables significantly influenced the percentage breakage in vetch seeds (p<0.01). Increasing the impact energy from 0.1 to 0.3 J caused a significant increase in the mean values of seeds breakage from 41.69 to 78.67%. It was found that the relation between vetch seeds moisture content and seeds breakage was non-linear, and the extent of damaged seeds decreased significantlyas a polynomial (from 92.47 to 33.56%) with increasing moisture (from 7.57 to 17.5%) and reached a minimum at moisture level of about 17.5%. Further increase in seed moisture, however, caused an increase in the amount of seeds breakage. Mathematical relationships composed of seed moisture content and impact energy, were developed for accurately description the percentage breakage of vetch seeds under impact loading. It was found that the models have provided satisfactory results over the whole set of values for the dependent variable

Cannabinoids and Cannabinoid Receptors: The Story so Far

Like most modern molecular biology and natural product chemistry, understanding cannabinoid pharmacology centers around molecular interactions, in this case, between the cannabinoids and their putative targets, the G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) and cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2). Understanding the complex structure and interplay between the partners in this molecular dance is required to understand the mechanism of action of synthetic, endogenous, and phytochemical cannabinoids. This review, with 91 references, surveys our understanding of the structural biology of the cannabinoids and their target receptors including both a critical comparison of the extant crystal structures and the computationally derived homology models, as well as an in-depth discussion about the binding modes of the major cannabinoids. The aim is to assist in situating structural biochemists, synthetic chemists, and molecular biologists who are new to the field of cannabis research

Relationship of Spirituality and Quality of Life in Patients with Type 2 diabetes

Diabetes and its complications have a significant impact on patients' quality of life and spirituality can help improve the quality of life in such patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of spirituality with quality of life in patients with Type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive-correlation study. Participants were 145 individuals with type 2 diabetes, patients of rural health clinics and the Valiasr hospital in Khorramshahr city, selected via stratified random and sampling methods. Data collection tools were a version of 29-item of the spiritual questionnaire (Parsian and Dunning) and a version of 26-item of the Quality of Life Questionnaire (World Health Organization), both questionnaires with previously confirmed validity and reliability in numerous studies. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 software and Pearson's correlation, T-test, ANOVA, Post Hoc and Stepwise Regression analytical statistics. Results: There was a significant positive relationship between spirituality and quality of life (p<0.0001). The results show a statistically significant relationship between spirituality and quality of life with both education and age. Conclusion: A strong correlation between spirituality and quality of life in patients with type II diabetes, demonstrates the roles and responsibilities of healthcare providers, including physicians, nurses and patients' families in meeting the varied spiritual and religious needs of patients along with their therapeutic management. Focusing on improving spiritual health is also important in education programs for these patients