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The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of commercial Lactobacillus probiotic and iron nanoparticles on some blood biochemical parameters of common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Common carp (mean weight 50 g) was fed in six treatments with 0.25 and 0.50 mg/g iron oxide nanoparticles and 108 CFU/g commercial Lactobacillus probiotic either together or separately for 56 days. After the rearing period, blood biochemical parameters including total plasma protein, albumin, globulin, creatinine, triglyceride and cholesterol and ALP, ALT, AST and LDH enzymes were measured. Total protein and globulin levels showed a significant increase in probiotic alone and probiotic plus 0.50 mg iron nanoparticles treatments (p ≤ 0.05). Creatinine, albumin, liver enzymes, serum lipids did not show any significant differences between treatments (p ≥ 0.05), but the values of these parameters showed no negative effects in different treatments. Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that using iron nanoparticles and Lactobacillus probiotic can improve some of the biochemical factors in carp.

Our research objective was to obtain a fundamental understanding of how ITO thin films layered on flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates fail due to tensile, shear, and bending loading conditions. In our approach, we employed a nonlinear finite-element (FE) approach coupled with dislocation-density crystalline and hypoelastic material models and fracture approaches tailored for channel (film) cracking and interfacial delamination. These predictions were validated with mechanical experiments and characterization at different physical scales. Failure to strain and fracture predictions were used to account for interrelated mechanisms, such as channel and interfacial cracking nucleation and propagation along cleavage planes, interfaces, and within layers. Our predictions indicate that interfacial delamination occurred when channel cracks transitioned to interfacial cracks at the ITO/PET interface for tensile loading conditions. Furthermore, the thin film system, when subjected to three-point bending and shear loading conditions was more resistant to failure in comparison to systems subjected to tensile loading conditions.

We analyzed how b.c.c. semi-coherent interfaces, within an h.c.p. matrix, have a central effect on the fracture of these multi-phase aggregates. We obtained 36 unique Orientation Relations (ORs) related to semi-coherent interfaces between the hydrides and the parent matrix, and calculated interfacial misfit strains between the matrix and hydride crystalline structures. We then coupled these microstructural interactions to a dislocation-density framework with a fracture nucleation and propagation approach to understand and predict different failure scenarios. The analysis indicates that misfit strains have a dominant mechanistic effect that is essential for an understanding of multi-phase crystalline aggregate behavior that spans different length scales.

The locking compression plate (LCP) and screw sets are widely used as internal fixator assemblies to treat long bone fractures. However, the surgeon's critical challenge is choosing the implant set (plate and screws) for each patient. The present study introduces a parametrized simulation-based optimization algorithm for determining an LC system with the best bone-implant stability. For this purpose, a three-dimensional fractured bone supported by an LC system was generated, and the discrete genetic optimization approach was utilized to design the optimum implant. Initially, an algorithm was developed to optimize the optimum layouts for different numbers of screws. For the middle third transverse fracture, six screws were selected as the optimal number of the screws. In a second stage, the model was run to determine the best LC plate dimensions for desired fractured bones. Finally, optimal plates were identified for simple middle third transverse, 60° middle third oblique, and distal third transverse femoral fractures. The results of these simulations and those for other fracture types can be exploited to achieve improved surgical outcomes by selecting proper implants and screws configurations.

Nanocrystalline-twinned materials exhibit significantly higher strength and ductility than nanocrystalline face-centered cubic (f.c.c.) materials without twins. In this investigation, a dislocation-density-based multiple-slip crystalline constitutive and a nonlinear finite element formulation have been used to understand how twin volume fractions, grain and twin orientations and texture, dislocation-density accumulation, and large inelastic strains affect the competing effects of strengthening and toughening mechanisms in nanotwinned materials. The predictions have indicated that grain and twin orientations with respect to different loading axes significantly affect how dislocation densities evolve, and that this has a dominant effect on both ductility and strength. The predictions were validated with experiments pertaining to nanotwinned f.c.c. copper aggregates. The validated predictions can potentially be used as design guidelines for optimizing the mechanical behavior of nanotwinned crystalline materials, such that behavior can be mitigated and controlled at the nanocrystalline scale.

A growing human population and increased demand for protein will made marine aquaculture inevitable. Water quality monitoring is important due to the great interactions between water quality and aquaculture activities. Therefore, the present study was performed because of the importance of the phytoplankton studies in the environmental and monitoring studies in order to scale water quality based on the algal bloom potential in the southern Caspian Sea-Goharbaran where can be used for cage and pen fish farming. Water samples were collected monthly from different layers of water (surface, 5 and 10 m) at various depths (5, 10 and 15 m) during 2013-2014. Based on the results, the algal bloom threshold for phytoplankton abundance, phytoplankton biomass and chlorophyll-a concentration were 200 million cells/m3, 512 mg/m3 and 1.7 µg/L, respectively. The abundance of Binuclearia lauterbornii, Thalassionema nitzschioides and Pseudonitzschia seriata were in the medium class of algal bloom in the summer, autumn and winter, respectively. The scaling of water quality based on the algal bloom were defined as excellent from April to June, fine-medium in September and in October and medium-weak from January to early March. In the present study, using various parameters of phytoplankton (abundance, biomass and chlorophyll-a concentration) and evaluating biological and ecological characteristics of dominant phytoplankton species were increased the validity of the numerical scalling of water quality.

Wire rope isolators have applications for vibration isolation in many industrial machinery and precise equipment. In this paper, the dynamic characteristics of an industrial wire rope isolator are investigated. A series of experiments were carried out on the isolator for quasi-static and dynamic loadings. Both horizontal and vertical excitations were considered. Next, a modified Bouc-Wen model was used to predict the behavior of the wire rope isolator under quasi-static loads. To have a comprehensive model able to predict the behavior of the isolator in all loading conditions, an artificial neural network model was proposed. The model was trained with a set of data and after convergence; it was used for prediction of some experimental cases which were not used in the training process. The obtained results indicate that the neural network model can predict the hysteresis behavior of the wire rope isolator with a good degree of accuracy.

We investigated how twin modes in hexagonal close packed materials can affect large inelastic strain behavior and fracture. We considered the two twin mode systems of ( 11 2 ¯ 1 ) [ 1 ¯ 1 ¯ 26 ] and (0001) [ 1 ¯ 1 ¯ 20 ] in zircaloy-2, with each mode having 24 unique twin systems. We then incorporated these twin and parent slip systems with a dislocation-density crystalline plasticity, a non-linear finite-element, and fracture framework that accounts for crack nucleation and propagation. We investigated how these twin modes affect the interrelated effects of crack nucleation and propagation, dislocation density and inelastic slip evolution, stress accumulation, and lattice rotation. The predictions indicate that twin modes significantly affect local deformation and fracture behavior, and, therefore, are essential for the accurate representation of behavior at different physical scales in heterogeneous crystalline hexagonal close packed systems.

Great advancements in modern field-reversed configuration (FRC) experiments motivated the development of a 14-chord three-wave far infrared (FIR) laser interferometry and polarimetry diagnostic system, which can provide simultaneous high temporal resolution measurements of density and Faraday rotation profiles with high accuracy. The unique challenges facing FIR diagnostics in high beta FRC plasmas are the extremely small (

Correction: On 31 August 2018, two sentences beginning “The absorption …” at the top of page 78 and the first reference in the reference list on page 79 were removed. This does not affect the general findings of the paper. The chemical composition of four edible plant foods species, three fish species and one prawn were analyzed in Food Chemistry Laboratory of Behbahan Khatam Alanbia University of Technology, Behbahan, Iran in 2014. The analysis of fatty acid and sugars composition were performed by gas liquid chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography, respectively. Protein and lipid content were founded higher in baked and fried in fish S. commersonnianus (74.29%), (20.20%), fish Sphyraena helleri (88.12%) and (17.77%), respectively. Ash content in fish S. commersonnianus varies from 9.80% to 15.34%, and in fish S. helleri from 5.83% to 7.68%. Based on the proximate analysis, it can be calculated that an edible portion of 100 g of studied edible plant foods provides, on average, around 303.9±1.04 kcal. The plant Portulaca neglecta is suitable for high temperature food processes. The macronutrient profile in general revealed that the wild plant foods were with rich sources of protein and carbohydrates, and had low amounts of fat. The highest protein, the lowest fat and energy contents were found in boiled in both fish species; therefore, boiling can be recommended as the best cooking method for healthy diet.Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 5 (2): 75-81, December, 2015

Having two stable configurations and no need to any permanent energy sources for remaining in each of these stable states, bi-stable composite plates have gained many applications. This paper has concentrated on control and dynamic response of cross ply bi-stable composite plates (0.90). To do this, using Hamilton principle , Rayleigh-Ritz method, and a MATLAB programme specifically designed for this study, have been applied in order to extract the governing equation of motions in plates. Then, in order to control the large vibration of the cross ply bi-stable plate, a fuzzy controller was proposed using a fuzzy logic and its prformance was simulated by Simulink in Matlab environment. In order to simulate the real conditions on the controller performance, the effect of disturbances and time delay on the responses of controller were also investigated.

We investigated how coherent interfaces, between face centered cubic (fcc)/hexagonal close packed (hcp) systems, affect large strain deformation and fracture modes in hcp zircaloy aggregates with fcc hydrides. We derived 36 unique transformations related to coherent interfaces between fcc and hcp systems. We then used these orientation relations (ORs) with a dislocation-density crystalline plasticity formulation, a nonlinear finite-element, and a fracture approach that account for crack nucleation and propagation. We investigated how these ORs affect crack nucleation and propagation, dislocation density and inelastic slip evolution, stress accumulation, lattice rotation, and adiabatic heating. The predictions indicate that the physical representation of ORs affects local deformation and fracture behavior and are, therefore, essential for the accurate predictions of behavior at different physical scales in heterogeneous crystalline systems.

The phenomenon of strain localization is considered the most effective cause of failure in dual phase steels. In the present study, we have performed in-situ tensile tests to investigate the strain localization in ferrite phase. In order to quantify the level of microscopic deformation, an image processing code was used and the the strain map was subsequently superimposed onto the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image obtained from the in-situ test. The SEM image that was captured during the in-situ tensile test was further used in a finite element dislocation density model, based on which the similarities and differences between the experimental and simulation results were discussed. The amount of localized deformation in the ferrite phase was found to be much higher in the regions between martensite islands. A parametric study was then performed to gain deeper insights on the effect of martensite grain size on the strain localization of the neighboring ferrite. Furthermore, using the experimental results, the localization of strain inside the high deformational fields before the final failure was discussed.

A dislocation–density-based multiple slip crystalline plasticity formulation and a specialized finite-element approach were developed and used to investigate behavior in hexagonal cubic packed with a focus on zircaloy-2 aggregates. The validated predictive framework can account for the interrelated effects of dislocation–density interactions, generation, and recovery. An energy criterion is used to identify 63 unique slip system interactions that can result in either junction formation or slip-system annihilation. These dislocation–density interactions, with the interrelated mechanisms due to recovery and generation, can then be used to understand and predict why basal planes are strengthening planes and prismatic planes are the dominant toughening planes.

Compressive behavior of composite materials has received significant attention in recent years. In the present work, a recently developed strain based fiber kinking model and stress based ones for unidirectional laminated composites are compared with experimental results. These models are implemented into a finite element code and the obtained results for glass/epoxy (Type C) ASNA 4197 unidirectional composites are presented and discussed in detail. Experimental investigations on compressive strength and kink band formation were also performed for several specimens with various dimensions and off-axis angles made of the same glass/epoxy prepreg composite material. A special compressive fixture was also fabricated in order to ensure that the specimens are in full contact with the loading machine elements and also to eliminate the potential bending moments. Comparison between the experimental and analytical results indicated that the proposed fiber kinking model and the developed code can be used to predict the compressive strength of laminated composites due to fiber kinking mode.

TAE Technologies' research is devoted to producing high temperature, stable, long-lived field-reversed configuration (FRC) plasmas by neutral-beam injection (NBI) and edge biasing/control. The newly constructed C-2W experimental device (also called "Norman") is the world's largest compact-toroid (CT) device, which has several key upgrades from the preceding C-2U device such as higher input power and longer pulse duration of the NBI system as well as installation of inner divertors with upgraded electrode biasing systems. Initial C-2W experiments have successfully demonstrated a robust FRC formation and its translation into the confinement vessel through the newly installed inner divertor with adequate guide magnetic field. They also produced dramatically improved initial FRC states with higher plasma temperatures (Te ~250+ eV; total electron and ion temperature g1.5 keV, based on pressure balance) and more trapped flux (up to ~15 mWb, based on rigid-rotor model) inside the FRC immediately after the merger of collided two CTs in the confinement section. As for effective edge control on FRC stabilization, a number of edge biasing schemes have been tried via open field-lines, in which concentric electrodes located in both inner and outer divertors as well as end-on plasma guns are electrically biased independently. As a result of effective outer-divertor electrode biasing alone, FRC plasma diamagnetism duration has reached up to ~9 ms which is equivalent to C-2U plasma duration. Magnetic field flaring/expansion in both inner and outer divertors plays an important role in creating a thermal insulation on open field-lines to reduce a loss rate of electrons, which leads to improvement of the edge and core FRC confinement properties. Experimental campaign with inner-divertor magnetic-field flaring has just commenced and early result indicates that electron temperature of the merged FRC stays relatively high and increases for a short period of time, presumably by NBI and ExB heating.

The effort of this study is to develop a simulation method to predict the effect of microstructural morphology in mechanical properties and failure mechanism of Ti–6Al–4V with 55% α and 45% β. Finite element models were then created based on a clarification of a damage mechanism to control the ductile cracking with focusing on the heterogeneity in strength of microstructure. By the way, Simulation for the dimple failure of the material, using the Gurson–Tvergaard–Needleman (GTN) model, will be presented. The large number of micro-voids nucleation at lower strength side near two phase boundary associated with the localisation of stress/strain is found to control ductile cracking. Numerical simulations, which were carried out using the scanning electron micrograph, are able to predict the void initiation in the material. During fractography of the material, some evidence is observable which can validate the results obtained by the simulation. The good correlation between the numerical and experimental observations from fractographic and tensile test results shows the efficiency of the proposed models in predicting the failure mechanism of Ti–6Al–4V.

WOS:000384779300072; International audience; This paper documents a numerical study of time-dependent melting dominated by natural convection in a cylinder filled with a phase change material. In accord with constructal design, the search is for effective heat-flow architectures. The volume-constrained improvement of the designs for heat flow begins with assuming the simplest structure, where a single line serves as heat source. Next, the heat source is endowed with freedom to change its shape as it grows. The objective of the numerical simulations is to discover the geometric features that lead to the fastest melting process. The results show that the heat transfer rate density increases as the complexity and number of degrees of freedom of the structure are increased. Furthermore, the angles between heat invasion lines have a minor effect on the global performance compared to other degrees of freedom: number of branching levels, stem length, and branch lengths. The effect of natural convection in the melt zone is documented. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mistuning in cyclic symmetric systems increases severely the forced response of system and splits the modes. This paper concerns with nonlinear behavior of mistuned cyclic systems. A nonlinear, mistuned model based on the method of multiple scales is proposed and formulated in which nonlinearity and mistuning parameter is assumed to be in of low order. Next, two mistuned systems were considered and solved by the multiple scale technique. Numerical results demonstrate that mistuning can lead to repeating and scattering of jump phenomena during the excitation frequency whereas in tuned cyclic system it occurs simultaneously (synchronously).

WOS:000377717500028; International audience; This article proposes "distributed energy storage" as a basic design problem of distributing energy storage material on an area. The energy flows by fluid flow from a concentrated source to points (users) distributed equidistantly on the area. The flow is time-dependent. Several scenarios are analyzed: sensible-heat storage, latent-heat storage, exergy storage vs energy storage, and the distribution of a finite supply of heat transfer surface between the source fluid and the distributed storage material. The chief conclusion is that the finite amount of storage material should be distributed proportionally with the distribution of the flow rate of heating agent arriving on the area. The total time needed by the source stream to "invade" the area is cumulative (the sum of the storage times required at each storage site) and depends on the energy distribution paths and the sequence in which the users are served by the source stream. Directions for future designs of distributed storage and retrieval are outlined in the concluding section

The aim of the present study was to isolate and characterize the cellulose-degrading bacteria from the gut of the local termite, Microcerotermes diversus (Silvestri), inhabiting the Khuzestan province of Iran. The microorganisms capable of growing in the liquid medium containing cellulose as the only source of carbon were isolated and their cellulolytic activity on CMC-containing media was confirmed by the congo red clearing zone assay. The isolates were identified based on biochemical characteristics and the phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene fragments. The results of the present study show that three cellulose-degrading bacteria isolated from local termite guts belonged to the genera Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus and four cellulose-degrading bacteria belonged to Enterobacteriaceae and Bacillaceae families. Several isolates recovered from separate termite Microcerotermes diversus samples closely clustered in phylogenetic trees indicating high similarity and the abundance of particular cellulolytic strains. Bacillus B5B and Acinetobacter L9B hydrolyzed cellulose faster than the other isolates (with CMCase activity of 1.47 U/mL and 1.22 U/mL, respectively). The stability of CMCase produced by Bacillus B5B over a broad range of pH and high temperature indicated that the enzyme may be of great commercial value.

Background & Aim: Air pollution has been one of the threatening factors of human health during the last century. Particulate matters are the major air pollutants in urban areas. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ambient particulate mattes on spontaneous abortion. Methods: This case-control study was conducted between June 2010 to February 2011 on 148 spontaneous abortion (case group) and 148 pregnant women (control group) in Tehran. From 22 regions of Tehran, 10 hospitals were randomly selected and samples were collected by simple random sampling from these hospitals. The mean of particulate matters was obtained from monitoring stations of Tehran Air Quality Control Company (TAQCC). Collected data was analyzed by the SPSS software using independent sample t-test, chi-square test, multiple and linear regression models. Results: Two groups in the study were matched in participants' age, husbands' age, age at first childbirth, educational level, family average income, previous type of delivery and the interval between deliveries, any previous abortion experience, body mass index, parity, duration of residence in Tehran and the amount of time spent at work and outside of home (P>0.05). On analyzing the collected data, it was revealed that the mean of ambient PM10 concentration in case group (94.4±39.22 micro gr/m3) was significantly higher than the control group (83.54±22.55 micro gr/m3) in T-test (P

A detailed analysis of the microstructure and failure mechanism of a dual-phase steel material as a function of strain was conducted. Accordingly, three tensile tests were performed and interrupted at different strain levels in order to investigate void nucleation, void growth and void coalescence. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed that void nucleation occurs by ferrite grain-boundary decohesion in the neighborhood of martensite grains. Further, void initiation could be observed between closely situated inartensite grains. Martensite morphology and distribution has a significant impact on the accumulation of damage. The mechanism of failure was found to be influenced by deformation localization due to microstructural inhomogeneity. Based on the experimental observations and simulation results, a model describing the failure mechanism is proposed for dual-phase steel material.

Introduction & Objective: Urinary complications are a common disorder which affects the quality of life of women. The objective of this study was to compare the therapeutic effects of Tibolone and classic hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on the urinary complications of menopausal women. Materials and methods: This randomized controlled trial study was conducted at Tarbiat Modarres University in 2007-2008 on 100 menopausal women which were divided into two therapeutic groups. Women in the first group used 2.5 mg tibolone plus one tablet of Ca+D daily. Women in the second group used HRT classic (0.625 mg conjugated equine estrogen and 2.5 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate) plus one tablet of Ca+D daily, for six months. Before and after each treatment, frequency, urgency, nocturia, stress and urge urine incontinence was recorded. The collected data was analyzed by the SPSS software using independent sample t-test, Mann-Whitney test, Wilcoxon test, and Fisher test. Results: The data showed that the two groups were matched in age, menarche and menopausal age, gravid, education level, occupation and socio-economic level (P>0.05). After six months, all of the urinary complications reduced after treatment in each group,but Wilcoxon test showed that only the reduction of nocturia was significant (P=0.007, P=0.03). Mann-Whitney test showed that all of these complications in the HRT group reduced more in the tibolone group, but this reduction statistically wasn’t significant (P>0.05). Conclusion: Treatment by classic hormone replacement therapy reduces the urinary complications of menopausal women in comparison with Tibolone. Therefore care should be taken for considering of an appropriate medical approach in these cases.

Free vibration analysis of rotating composite laminated conical shells with different boundary conditions using the generalized differential quadrature method (GDQM), is investigated. Equations of motion are derived based on Love's first approximation theory by taking the effects of initial hoop tension and the centrifugal and Coriolis acceleration due to rotation and initial uniform pressure load into account. Then, the equations of motion as well as the boundary condition equations are transformed into a set of algebraic equation applying the GDQM. The results are obtained for the frequency characteristics of different orthotropic parameters, rotating velocities, cone angles and boundary conditions. The presented results are compared with those available in the literature and good agreements are achieved.

Introduction & Objective: Menopause is related to many symptoms that have an effect on women’s life quality. HRT and its alternatives such as Tibolone are some of the routes for enhancement of different aspects of QoL in menopause. The aim of this study was the comparison of the effects of Tibolone and placebo on climacteric symptoms of healthy menopausal women. Materials & Methods: This is a randomized, prospective clinical study. A total of 96 women with no absolute contraindication for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) that reffered to selected clinics (gynecologic clinics in Fajr and Avesina Hospitals, Aboraihan and Shahid Haidari Polyclinic and an individual clinic) during 2007-2008 were divided into two groups: 41 women in the Tibolone group received Tibolone 2.5 mg/day + Ca-D (500 mg +200 IU) and 45 women in the placebo group received only Ca-D (500 mg +200 IU) for six months. At baseline and after six months, climacteric symptoms were assessed by Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS). Data was analyzed by SPSS version 15. Paired and independent t-test, Chi-Square test and Mann-Whitney were used for analyzing the collected data. Results: Thirty two women in the Tibolone group and 43 women in the placebo completed the study. Comparing the baseline and placebo values, the Tibolone group significantly improved on all of GCS subscales which include: depression, anxiety, somatic, vasomotor symptoms and libido (P

WOS:000356176100036; International audience; Here, we report the numerical study of time dependent storage of energy by melting a phase change material. The heating is provided along invading lines, which change from single-line invasion to tree-shaped invasion. The numerical simulations show that the history of the amount of melted material is S-shaped. We also found that the fastest melting (i.e., the steepest S curve) is discovered by allowing the tree architecture to morph freely, toward greater access over time. The stem length and branching angle of invading trees can be selected such that the complete melting process is shorter. The melting process can also be made faster by increasing the complexity of the tree structure. (C) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.

This study examined the effects of a commercial Bacillus probiotic on the digestive enzyme activity, survival and growth of Fenneropenaeus indicus at various ontogenetic stages in three separate experiments: (1) Nauplius1–2 to Zoea3, which were exposed to probiotic added directly to the water; (2) Mysis1 to PL14 in tanks, which were exposed to the probiotic either through adding it directly to the water or by feeding shrimp with probiotic-enriched Artemia; (3) postlarval shrimp reared in earthen ponds during the farming stages (PL30 to PL120), which were exposed to probiotic added to the water. The counts of Bacillus bacteria in the digestive tract in all treatments were significantly (P

Background and objective: Nowadays, air pollution is a very serious problem that affects everyone especially old people, pregnant women and their fetuses, infants and all high-risk patients. This study was done to survey the effects of carbon monoxide of air pollution on fetus and changes in umbilical cord pathology. Methods: In this historical cohort study, the effect of carbon monoxide of air pollution on fetus and umbilical cord was studied in Mahdieh hospital in Tehran (Case group) and Fayazbakhsh hospital in Karaj (Control group) in 2001-02. We compared case group born to mothers who were exposed to outdoor air pollution during pregnancy (N=32), and the control group born to the mothers who were not routinely exposed to air pollution (N=32). Two groups were similar in maternal age, gestational age, gravida and family income. Carbon monoxide, carboxyhemoglonin, birth weight and umbilical disorders were compared in two groups and the relationship between carbon monoxide with these variables was evaluated. Findings: Carbon monoxide levels were 16.69 ppm in case group and 2.68 ppm in control group (P