Showing 313 results for Baha
Volume 0, Issue 0 (ARTICLES IN PRESS 2024)
Abstract
The issue of climate change and its associated water security challenges has become a growing concern for Iran, particularly in its agricultural sector. Increasing population, rising demand for agricultural products, and the need for food security exacerbate these challenges. This study highlights the risks posed by reduced precipitation, rising temperatures, and inefficient water management practices, including heavy reliance on groundwater and outdated irrigation systems. It emphasizes the urgent need for modern irrigation technologies, such as water recycling (NEWater), and robust governance reforms to improve water use efficiency, analyzed through the HES framework. The study concludes that adopting a comprehensive, long-term strategy, incorporating technological innovations, localized water management practices, and enhanced governance, can mitigate the impacts of climate change and ensure the sustainable use of water resources in Iran's agricultural sector.
Volume 0, Issue 0 (ARTICLES IN PRESS 2024)
Abstract
Traditional farming faces significant challenges to sustainable development due to climate change, water scarcity, and environmental, social, and economic threats. Adopting complementary activities like agritourism can help address these challenges and promote sustainable village development. This study examines farmers' behavioral intentions and willingness to participate in agritourism as a supplementary activity. Data were collected through questionnaires using stratified random sampling with proportional assignment from farmers in five agriculturally diverse villages in Marvdasht County, Fars Province, Iran. The data were analyzed using the extended Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), which explained 78.8% of farmers' behavioral intentions and 61.8% of their actual behavior. The results show that attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control—traditional TPB constructs—significantly influence farmers' intentions to adopt agritourism. Additionally, self-identity, social capital, environmental values, and the perception of farmer’s risks enhance the predictive power of farmers' behavioral intentions. However, perceived behavioral control did not significantly impact farmers' actual behavior, while their intentions had the strongest positive influence on agritourism adoption. These findings suggest that promoting farmers' attitudes, beliefs, and self-confidence through training and information campaigns can increase their engagement in agritourism. Policymakers should implement cultural programs, incentives, and social networks to enhance agritourism's occupational value and encourage collaboration within the agricultural sector. Furthermore, measures should ensure agritourism aligns with environmental goals and educate farmers about the risks of traditional farming practices. Such efforts can foster sustainable development and strengthen the role of agritourism as a complementary activity to traditional farming.
Volume 0, Issue 0 (Articles accepted for Publication 2024)
Abstract
Aim and Introduction
The central bank operates by setting an inflation target and implementing monetary policies to achieve its economic goals. The accurate estimation and calculation of actual inflation in society are crucial for establishing the correct inflation target. Any discrepancy between the set inflation target and real inflation can disrupt the central bank's policy-making. If the actual inflation differs from the inflation perceived by society, it can further complicate the central bank's decision-making process.
Society's perception of inflation, as reflected in inflation expectations, refers to consumers' personal feelings and assessments of the rate at which market prices are rising. This perception is often associated with an increase in the cost of living, products, and services, as well as a decrease in the standard of living. Criticisms have been raised regarding the rationality of individuals when estimating inflation rates. Carroll's epidemiological model (2001) posits that individuals form their expectations of future inflation based on the information they receive, such as expert forecasts published in articles. Those who do not encounter such articles may rely on previous inflation statistics and forecasts they have come across.
Initially, the influence of the media on society's perception of inflation was considered. Subsequent developments in this theory led to the identification of various experimental factors from different societal studies that can impact this perception. It is crucially important to note that factors other than those involved in the calculation of the inflation rate can also influence this index.
Methodology
This study investigates inflation perception through both qualitative and quantitative approaches and explores its relationship with potential influencing factors. The Consumer Inflation Expectations Index quantifies the percentage by which consumers anticipate prices of goods and services to fluctuate over the next 12 months. The index is constructed by developing a questionnaire that reflects the socio-economic conditions of the countries under study. The questionnaire encompasses various inquiries pertaining to past experiences of price changes, personal financial circumstances, business conditions, purchasing power, expectations regarding interest rates and inflation, and significant purchasing and saving intentions. Understanding the determinants of perceived inflation is vital for the efficacious implementation of policies within a society. This research was conducted within a comprehensive framework, evaluating a sample of 384 consumers in the city of Tabriz. Participants were selected randomly in November 2023 and consisted of either household heads or family members responsible for a substantial proportion of household expenditures, all aged 15 and older. The causal-comparative method was utilized to analyze the collected data, acknowledging that individual perceptions of inflation may be influenced by variables such as geographical location, gender, level of knowledge and education, performance, attitude, and subjective norms. Some of these variables may be inherent traits that are unchangeable, while others may be external factors beyond the control of the researcher or unethical to manipulate. Furthermore, this method was employed to identify factors associated with unsuccessful policy implementation to prevent their recurrence, as well as to pinpoint and cultivate beneficial factors.
Findings
The survey results from this study indicate that the perceived inflation rate in Tabriz in November 2023 was 70.54%, compared to 50.40% as reported by the Iranian Statistics Center for the same period, showing a discrepancy of approximately 20.14% between the community's perceived inflation rate and the official inflation rate. Additionally, the perceived inflation rate for October 2023 was estimated at 59.80%, which is higher than the official inflation rate of 51.20%. The forecasted perceived inflation rate for December 2023 was also examined, estimated at 57.83%, showing a decreasing trend compared to November's perceived inflation rate. This rate was compared with the official rate of 70.49% reported by the Statistics Center. The significant gap between perceived and official inflation rates confirms the high bias in the perceived inflation rate relative to the official rate and indicates a concurrent movement between the actual inflation rate and the perceived inflation rate. As a result, the impact of expected inflation, derived from perceived inflation, on the official inflation rate is validated. The results also revealed that perceived inflation rates are higher among women, part-time employees, manufacturing workers, unemployed educated individuals, and married people. Factors such as very low knowledge of the concept of inflation and related statistics, incorrect recollection of past prices, the disproportionate effect of frequent purchases, asymmetric perception of price increases and decreases, and household income levels play a significant role in explaining the highest perceptions of inflation rates. Furthermore, individual behaviors in purchasing and consuming goods have led to increased perceptions of inflation. The role of media and social networks in shaping inflation perceptions has been very prominent, with the highest perceived inflation rates attributed to the influence of reports from foreign media. Changes in the gold and currency markets also had the greatest impact on consumers' inflation rate estimates.
Discussion and Conclusion
The achievement of objectives stemming from policy implementation relies heavily on the accurate estimation of the said policies and the factors influencing their execution. This study has revealed that the perceived inflation rate and its influencing factors may deviate from the official inflation rate and its contributing factors. Inaccurate estimations heighten the risk of policy misalignments with predetermined goals. It is therefore imperative that estimating the perceived inflation rate and its influencing factors falls within the purview of executing centers and is factored into the planning of societal policies as a whole
Volume 1, Issue 1 (1-2013)
Abstract
Abstract:
Women in the prose folk tales have various roles. In contrast to the position of women in official and lyric literature, the living, dynamic, influential and basic role of them in folk tales is noteworthy. Active women with positive character are the initiator of love, heroe’s helper, protector of their freedom and dignity, warrior, heroe’s physician and nurse, against the mandatory marriages, consistent in love, sly, devoted, kind, intelligent and advisor. Women with negative character are sly, witches, malicious, wicked, evil, treacherous, envious and corrupt. Passive women are as a reward for the hero, unsophisticated, beloved or spouse, agree with polygamy and oppressed. This descriptive-analytical paper cheks twenty-two long famouse folk stories and analyzes the popular types of active and passive women's role in them.
Volume 1, Issue 1 (NO. 1- 2011)
Abstract
One of the most important issues that organizations face is how to motivate employee to perform their roles well, thus ensuring that organization to retain its effectiveness. Indeed, specific set of employees' behaviors, discretionary ones that employees perform for organization that can significantly affect on organization’s success specifically. These behaviors are called organizational citizenship behaviors, defined as discretionary work behaviors that that have not been recognized directly or explicitly by the formal reward system, and in the aggregate, they promote the functioning of the organization.
In this study has tried to investigate relationships between organization ethical values, organizational justice, organizational commitment, ethical behavior and organizational citizenship behaviors in Staff part employees of Payam Nour University (Tehran branch). In respect to purpose, this study is applied and in respect to doing method and data collection, is descriptive-analytic. LISREL and structural equation model were used for testing the hypotheses. The results of this study indicated that organization ethical values positively affects on procedural and distributive justice. Procedural and distributive justice positively affects on organizational commitment. Also organizational commitment positively affects on ethical behavior. Ethical behavior positively affect on sportsmanship and altruism dimensions of organizational citizenship behaviors.
Volume 1, Issue 1 (Spring 2021)
Abstract
This article highlights some Islamic jurisprudential (fiqhī) principles which require reduction and restriction of death penalty. According to this article, in Islamic view the permissibility of capital punishment is very limited and narrow. Minimalistic approach to capital punishment includes fixed punishment (had), just retaliation (qisās) and discretionary punishment (ta’zir). The article also studies some procedural factors, which in their turn, result in the reduction of the numbers of capital punishment. Of them is proportionality between the epistemic value of the evidence and the content it is supposed to prove. The necessity of observing humane considerations in the performance of death penalty, in a few cases in which it is permitted, is also briefly discussed. In other words, performance of death penalty should be with the lowest level of pain when it is permitted.
Volume 1, Issue 2 (7-2014)
Abstract
Volume 1, Issue 3 (9-2013)
Abstract
Some Biochemical properties of silver carp surimi prepared by application of acid-alkali aided methods were investigated and compared to that of derived by conventional method. In terms of total protein solubility and recovery, lipid reduction, and total pigment extractability and myoglobin removal there was a significant (P<0.05) difference among the treatments. Acid-aided method showed the most efficiency to recover more proteins (86.2%) in comparison to the alkaline-aided (79.8%) and conventional (76.7%) methods. The lipid reduction percentage was recorded as 43.6%, 58.4% and 72.3% for the conventional method, and acid-alkali aided methods, respectively. In terms of total pigment removal, the conventional method showed higher efficiency (P<0.05) compared to the pH-shifting methods. Conversely, fish protein solubilisation by acid-alkali aided techniques was more efficient (P<0.05) compared to the conventional method of making surimi. In conclusion, pH-shifting techniques were superior in comparison with the conventional method in order to recover more functional proteins and to efficiently reduce the lipid and myoglobin content of resultant fish protein isolate.
Volume 2, Issue 1 (3-2014)
Abstract
Aim: Regarding the high prevalence of breast cancer among the Iranian women and lack of attention to mammography screening, planning the behavior promotion interventions would be practicable through determining the barriers of conducting mammography screening behavior. The purpose of this study was determining the barriers of conducting breast cancer mammography screening among the women over 40 years. Methods: The participants of this crass-sectional study consisted of 294 over 40-years old women in Arak-Iran who completed the questionnaire of mammography barriers. The questionnaire used was based on Champion's revised Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS). Sampling was based on the population. All hygiene officers of the Health and Cure Centers of Arak were asked to randomly select some samples among the women over 40 years. In this way, all the city's areas were covered. Inclusion criteria were women over 40 years, not already suffering from breast cancer, or having a family member (mother or sister) affected by the disease. Findings: The findings revealed that the high cost is the main barrier (20.1%) of mammography screening among the population. Among the other reasons, one may point to fear of discovering a cancer mass (9.5%), painful procedures of mammography (7.1%), not knowing the mammography centers (6.5%), and shame of undressing for mammography (5.1%). Comparing the mean scores of the barriers based on the individual characteristics showed that the barriers of mammography screening according to education level (p=0.0001), insurance status (p=0.02), and economic status (p=0.0001) have significant difference. Conclusions: Regarding the barriers of mammography screening among the Iranian women, it is necessary that authorities apply solutions to reduce costs, and promote women's knowledge about the importance of early diagnosis of breast diseases through screening plans, especially mammography screening.
Volume 2, Issue 3 (7-2016)
Abstract
Background: Trichomoniasis is the most common nonviral sexually transmitted human disease that is caused by protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis. Metronidazole is the selective drug in trichomoniasis treatment. However, the reported cases show an increasing trend of drug resistance. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of mango and blueberry extracts on T. vaginalis.
Materials and Methods: T. vaginalis was cultured axenically in TYM (Trypticase Yeast Extract) medium supplemented with 10% bovine serum. The effect of mango and blueberry extracts at 50, 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1000 μg.mL-1 on T. vaginalis was studied after 24 and 48 hours. The final numbers of parasite with a hemocytometer and Trypan blue were recorded. Then the value of IC50 [Half maximal inhibitory concentration] and the lethal percent were calculated. In the present study, the metronidazole was used as positive control. The IC50 value of metronidazole and tinidazole were calculated in the concentrations of 0.02, 0.04, 0.08, 0.16 and 0.32 μg.mL-1.
Results: The final results confirmed the significant effect of all mango and blueberry extracts concentrations on the reduction of parasite numbers (P-value<0.05(. The extract concentrations of 1000 μg.mL-1 had the most significant effect on T. vaginalis growth inhibition after 24 hours. The IC50 values of mango and blueberry extracts, metronidazole, and tinidazole were calculated as 118.3, 60.74, 0.042 and 0.02 μg.ml-1 respectively.
Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, the different concentrations of mango and blueberry extracts have significant anti Trichomonas vaginalis activities. It is suggested carrying out further studies on suitable animal models.
Volume 2, Issue 3 (7-2016)
Abstract
Background: This study was performed to determine antifungal activity of silver nanoparticles (nano-Ag) compared to voriconazole on clinical and standard strains of Aspergillus fumigatus.
Materials and Methods: Inhibitory potency of nano-Ag was determined using microtiter broth dilution method. Susceptibility tests were performed against A. fumigatus isolated from BAL (bronchoalveolar lavage) of patients who suffered from respiratory problems and compared with the strain (ATCC: 204305) by broth dilution antifungal susceptibility test of filamentous fungi approved by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute M38-A. In addition, cytotoxicity effect of silver nanoparticles was studied on epithelial cell line by MTT assay.
Results: From 60 BAL samples the following strains were isolated; A. flavus (n=21), A. niger (n=3), and A. fumigatus (n=1). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC90) values of nano-Ag were 0.25 and 0.5 μg.mL-1 for standard strain and clinical isolates respectively. The Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) values of nano-Ag were 0.5 and 1 μg.mL-1for standard strain and clinical isolates respectively. MIC90 values of voriconazole were 0.125 and 0.25 μg.mL-1 for standard strain and clinical isolate respectively. The MFC values of voriconazole were 0.25 and 0 μg.mL-1 for standard strain and clinical isolates respectively. Silver nanoparticles exhibited low cytotoxicity in 0.25 μg.mL-1 concentration.
Conclusion: Our results showed high antifungal activity of silver nanoparticles against Aspergillus isolates. Furthermore, the availability of a wide form of nano-Ag structures can be considered as novel agents to decrease fungal burden in medical application.
Volume 2, Issue 4 (winter 2021)
Abstract
Aims: This research deals with the delicacies and complexities of recreating the historical cemeteries of cities. In this regard, it tries to know the obvious, hidden dimensions, layers and components in the deep levels of perception by reviewing lived experiences.
Methods: This research is qualitative and has a phenomenological approach. In this way, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted in Kusenbach's innovative method and in five axes, and also supplementary questionnaires were distributed to record, receive and analyze the meanings of the lived experiences of the landscape visitors.
Findings: The lived experiences of historical landscape cemeteries were studied in five axes: "Reference, ideal image, activity, improvement and mental dimensions" and showed that historical cemeteries have multidimensional qualities and a great variety, multiplicity and complexity in the perceptual layers.
Conclusion: If the role of the cemetery is reduced to the necessary urban infrastructure and becomes only a place for burying the bodies, then the connection between the world of the living and the dead is cut off, and turning it into a landfill for urban waste outside the city. Because of having valuable structures and elements, originality and hidden values that show the interaction of culture and nature over time, and these values preserve the identity and collective memories and historical memory of society, the protection of the historical landscape is very sensitive. Therefore, it is impossible to re-read these features in the re-creation of the cemetery without analyzing the deep perceptual layers hidden in the soul of this place.
Volume 3, Issue 1 (Spring 98 2019)
Abstract
Research Subject: Removal of industrial wastewater especially from textile and dyeing factories is always important actions to control of pollutions. Using of polymeric adsorbents is an important method for removal of dyes from industrial wastewater. In this research work, designing and fabrication of PVA-based adsorbent with proper potential for removal of green malachite from industrial wastewater has been reported.
Research Approach: For fabrication of adsorbent 4 wt.% PVA was gelled in the present of 10 wt.% glutaraldehyde as cross-linker and punched. The punched hydrogels were porous with freeze drying method. For improving the adsorption ability, graphene and TiO2 were used. The adsorption of green malachite with prepare adsorbent was measured timely to determine the optimum percentage of nanoparticles. In addition, the effect of contact time and the presence of UV on the adsorption of pollution was investigated. Finally, the adsorption isotherms and thermodynamics study were investigated in different time.
Main Results: The results of adsorption of pollution with PVA/graphene adsorbent in different times showed that 0.5 wt.% is the optimum loading of graphene in the PVA matrix. This value was 3 wt.% for TiO2. The adsorption percentage via optimum adsorbent in dark condition showed that one minute after addition of adsorbent the adsorption percent increased to 75% indicating the high capability of the adsorbent in adsorption of tested pollution. The porous structure was confirmed via SEM image. By comparing the correlation coefficient for Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms it was found that Freundlich isotherm has better agreement with the findings of the current study. In other words, adsorption of green malachite with fabricated adsorbent was done multi layered. The thermodynamics studies showed that due to negative value of Gibbs energy the adsorption reaction of green malachite with fabricated absorbent is automatically.
Volume 3, Issue 4 (Winter 2020)
Abstract
Research subject: Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegnerative disorder with no treatment due to the blood brain barrier (BBB) existence. The cure for this disease is Dopamine a chemical molecule.
Research approach: This study investigates biodegradable naoparticles (NPs) carrying dopamine (DA) across the blood–brain barrier. Ion polymerization and solvent methods were used to achieve this goal. Particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency and in vitro drug release behavior, at pH 7 were examined.
Main results: The empty nanoparticles and drug-loaded nanoparticles were found to be spherical in shape and fluffy exterior, with mono-modal size distribution and negative zeta-potentials of increasing average sizes 90 to 120 nm simultaneously. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra demonstrated the polymerization of nBCA monomers and encapsulation of DA inside poly (butylcyanoacrylate) (PBCA).Thermal characteristics of the copolymer were investigated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Drug loading efficiency was around 25%.The in-vitro drug release profile of DA -loaded PBCA nanoparticles prepared from ion polymerization following solution techniques exhibited a gradual release; more than 20 ٪w/w of the drug was released after 51 h. The results showed that the DA–PBCA nanocapsules could be an effective carrier for hydrophilic agents. In this study, PBCA-NSPs were successfully generated as a delivery system for DA, providing a promising approach to improve the therapy of PDs.
Volume 4, Issue 1 (4-2014)
Abstract
Sheykh Shahāb ad-Dīn Suhrawardī, as one of the great Moslem philosophers and theologian, founded his philosophy upon the doctrine of Illuminationism. His theories and teachings have deeply influenced the beliefs and performances of the Iranian artists. In view of this, the present research aims at investigating Suhravardī’s understanding of Illuminationism and hierarchy of lights. It also tries to trace manifestations of the khorrah light (or the Divine Light), which was of utmost significance in Suhravardī’s doctrine of Illuminationism, in the art of architecture. Finally, it is tried to answer the question “Which elements signify the manifestation of the Light - as conceived of in the Illuminationist Philosophy – in the Iranian-Islamic architecture?” Sheykh of Ishrāq [Suhrawardī] called God ‘the Light of All Lights’ [Nūr-ul-Anwār] and believed that the heaven and earth are made of God’s light; and all beings enjoy His light in proportion to their closeness to His light. He also believed that the light as existing at the stages of sense and matter is inferior to the light that exists in the more exalted stages. That is to say, the closer one gets to the Source of Light - ‘the Light of All Lights’ [Nūr-ul-Anwār] – the purer and brighter the light they get will be. Therefore, separation from the matter translates into moving and getting elevated toward the Source of Being and the Light of Existence and avoiding the lowest levels of existence and shadows. Furthermore, there is an eternal tie between art and philosophy/wisdom. The reason is that they are both perceived intuitively and expressed enigmatically. Therefore, it is through meditation and self-discipline that an artist may attain at that angel-like insight, which is the source of all celestial arts. Such works of arts are the fruits of an artist’s quest in the spiritual world and intuitive perception of the truths there. Like the Divine Knowledge and the doctrine of Illuminationism, the traditional art is expressed in the language of enigma, the very characteristic feature that enables it to establish an association between the most far-fetched inward concepts and the most superficial level of the existence in the outward world. From the above perspective, light is considered the symbol of existence in the sphere of the Islamic Architecture; and due to the fact that the mosque, regarded as the heart of the Islamic Architecture, is where all the secrets and mysteries of this architecture is manifested, the present article deals with the symbols of light in the architecture of mosques. The doctrine of Illuminationism propagated by Suhrawardī and other Illuminationist philosophers has influenced the Iranian culture and art (particularly, during the Timurid and Safavid rules, when Sheykh ‘s ideas were in their heyday). As one can obviously see in their works, Iranian architects had a spiritual approach toward light, like the Illuminationist philosophers of their homeland did. Manifestation of the Divine Light in the form of words of Azān [the Call for Prayers] from minarets, provision of light through envisaging lamps in the epicenter of mihrabs (i.e., the mishkāt), installation of Koranic tablets containing verses from the Nūr Chapter, and the arch-shaped mihrabs and the muqarnases therein…, they all appear to be the incarnation of lights, which symbolize the stage on which the Divine Lights shine. Application of ‘shamsehs’, the arrangement of skylights on the domes, the muqarnases that absorb the light and diffuse it delicately, the latticed windows that let pass the light, the reflection of the light in the bright enameled tiles, continuous vaults, and the colorful glasses, which signify the unity in diversity with their harmonious colors functioning as a medium of transmitting the light, and presence of yellow and gold colors symbolizing the Light of All Lights [Nūr-ul-Anwār] in the terrestrial world…, they all substantiate the fact that the Iranian architects had an Illuniationist viewpoint and practiced under the influence of that doctrine Because the Iranian Architecture is all about light and illumination. The survival of everything hinges upon light. For the purpose of this research, data and information were collected through documentation, the research was conducted on a descriptive basis, and the analysis was made in an analytical fashion. Based on the results obtained, no symbol or manifestation compares to the light in terms of its affinity and propinquity with the Divine Unity. For the same reason, the Muslim Iranian architects have tried their best to use light in whatever they created. Elements like the minarets, mihrabs, muqarnas [corbels], tiles, continuous vaults, colorful glass, and conspicuous presence of yellow and gold colors are all symbols of the Light of All Lights [Nūr-ul-Anwār]. In like manner, the concept of ‘Khorrah’ or the Divine Light has manifested itself in architecture through ‘Shamseh’ and application of latticed surfaces like luminous halos under the domes in the Iranian-Islamic architecture. Therefore, the role of light in the Islamic architecture is to symbolize the Principle of [divine] Manifestation. The utmost function of the elements applied in the architecture is manifestation of God; that is, ‘the Light, and the manifestation of the Ubiquitous Light of the firmaments and the earth, that is, the Only True Being. That is why the Iranian architects would try their best to use the element of light in whatever they created. One of the fundamental notions in Iranian’s Doctrine of Illuminationism on which Suhrawardī placed primary emphasis, is the notion of ‘Khorrah’. ‘Khorrah’ signifies observation of the Divine Lights by the spiritual wayfarers [sālek] in course of their spiritual journey. In the traditional art of Persian miniature, khorrah was is delineated as a halo around the heads of the characters. In architecture, the same has been demonstrated in the form of ‘Shamseh’. The circular layout of the skylights under the domes and the way light enters through the latticed windows clearly conjure up the image of a luminary halo in an emphatic mode. Manifestation of the khorrah light in the form of shamsehs and the skylights of the mosque domes can be regarded as another significant finding of this study.
Volume 4, Issue 1 (Spring 2020)
Abstract
Abstract
Research Subject: In recent years, the use of graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs) in polymer nanocomposites has attracted considerable attention. Dispersion state of GnPs in the polymer matrix has a great importance which can affect microstructure and final properties of nanocomposite. Therefore, in the present work, the effect of compatibilizer on the dispersion state of GnPs and also on internal structure, orientation, and tensile properties of polypropylene (PP)/GnPs nanocomposite fibers are investigated.
Research Approach: PP/GnPs nanocomposite fibers containing 0.1% and 0.5% GnPs with and without maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (PP-g-MA) were melt spun. Dispersion state and location of GnPs in the nanocomposite fibers were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Fiber orientation and crystallinity were studied by polarized Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), respectively. Moreover, fracture behaviour of PP/GnPs nanocomposite fibers was investigated by cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of tensile fractured samples. Using Halpin-Tsai model, experimental tensile moduli of fibers were compared with the predicted values.
Main Results: TEM images show that in the compatibilized PP/MA/GnPs nanocomposite fibers, GnPs aggregates decrease and their size also reduces, suggesting that GnPs dispersion improved. An increase in Lp of the compatibilized sample recorded from SAXS analysis indicates that the more GnPs are located in the intrafibrillar region. Based on polarized FTIR and DSC results, orientation and crystallinity of PP/G0.5 nanocomposite fiber are found to significantly increase after inclusion of PP-g-MA. Moreover, reinforcing effect of GnPs in PP/MA/GnPs nanocomposite fibers could be explained by better GnPs dispersion and changes in internal structure of fiber. Furthermore, the tensile fracture behavior of PP/GnPs nanocomposite fiber changes from ductile to brittle in the presence of PP-g-MA.
Volume 4, Issue 2 (9-2015)
Abstract
The aim of this study, in the first step, was to recover the protein content in wastewater of fish meal factories using chitosan, chitosan nanoparticles and chitosan-aluminum sulphate composition. In the second step, the extracted protein was assessed for its essential amino acids profile. Also, the reduced amount of proteins in the waste water was evaluated by measuring different parameters such as turbidity, pH, COD. Finally, chitosan nanoparticles characteristics were investigated using atomic force microscopy. Results showed that turbidity, COD and soluble protein significantly decreased upon adding different concentrations of chitosan, nanoparticle of chitosan and chitosan-alum (p<0.05). The maximum protein recovery was related to chitosan-alum composition and chitosan nanoparticles with no significant difference between these two treatments. Evaluation of recovered protein in term of amino acids profiles showed that there were essential amino acids such as histidine, lysine, methionine and phenylalanine in protein of fish meal wastewater.
Volume 4, Issue 3 (12-2015)
Abstract
The effect of ice-storage duration (0, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 days) of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) on qualitative properties of its surimi powder was assessed by analyzing proximate composition, color changes, density, oil adsorption capacity, protein solubility, emulsifying capacity, emulsion stability, gel forming ability, and thiobarbituric acid. Increase in ice-storage duration increased the density and thiobarbituric acid of surimi powder(p<0.05); proximate composition, color indices, protein solubility, oil adsorption and gel forming decreased significantly (p<0.05); emulsifying capacity and emulsion stability decreased with storage duration, although no regular trends were detected (p<0.05). The present study indicated that long-term ice-storage of silver carp led to reduction of qualitative properties of the surimi powder.
Volume 4, Issue 3 (12-2015)
Abstract
In order to improve the properties of myofibrillar protein-based film from silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) at 3 levels (1, 3 and 5%) was used. Optimum treatment was determined by evaluating the mechanical, physical and optical properties as well as scanning electron microscopy analysis (SEM). Cellulose nanoparticles had no effect on tensile strength but reduced the elasticity of film (p≤0.05). Water vapor barrier property (WVP) and other physical properties of the films were improved by addition of nanofibrillated cellulose at 1%, but decreased at higher concentrations (p≤0.05. Based on SEM, low concentrations of nanoparticles showed more homogeneous dispersion and films had a smoother and better cross-sectional area compared to the higher levels of nanoparticles. Generally, low levels of nanoparticles could be effective to improve the mechanical and physical properties of myofibrillar protein - nanofibrillated cellulose films.
Volume 4, Issue 4 (3-2016)
Abstract
The effects of frozen storage (-20°C) of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) for periods of 0 (control), 2, 4 and 6 months on the qualitative properties of surimi powder was investigated. Qualitative characteristics were assessed through analysis of proximate composition, sensory evaluation, color changes, density, oil adsorption capacity, water holding capacity, protein solubility, emulsifying capacity, emulsion stability, foam capacity and stability, gel forming ability, and thiobarbituric acid value. Most of the qualitative indices decreased significantly (p<0.05) in the treatments, including the water holding capacity and the percentage of protein solubility that, respectively, decreased from 13.4ml/g and 7.42% in the control to 10.46 ml/g and 4.82% after 6 months of frozen storage. Besides, the treatments didn’t show foam. The density and thiobarbituric acid increased significantly with time (p<0.05). Based on the analyses as well as sensory assessment, quality of silver carp surimi powder was maintained in -20°C frozen storage up to four months.