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Limited water for irrigation and the coincidence of early growth of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) with the late growth of winter cereals in the Northeast (NE) of Iran, force farmers, to allocate their limited irrigation water to the cereal crops and thus their sugar beet crop is subjected to an early water stress. Finding cultivars which are able to withstand early water stress without a significant yield reduction is critical to the farmers’ economy. This study was conducted over a two-year period (1998 and 1999) to evaluate the response of nine sugar beet genotypes to drought stress and to determine the crop traits associated with drought resistance. The results showed that stomatal conductance, leaf-air temperature difference and proline accumulation were associated with levels of water stress in sugar beet genotypes. Among these indices, leaf-air temperature difference was a more precise parameter to measure. A negative correlation between Δ T (leaf -air temperature) and stomatal conductance was found. The correlation coefficients for 1998 and 1999 were -0.87 and -0.58, respectively. There was a positive correlation between Δ T and proline accumulation in sugar beet genotypes. The correlation coefficients for the 1998 and 1999 experiments were 0.61 and 0.49, respectively. The shoot: root ratio (S:R) measured at the end of the stress period showed that genotypes with a lower S:R often had a greater stomatal conductance. In general, genotypes with a lower S:R at the end of the stress period usually had a greater root dry weight. The correlation coefficients of S:R with root dry weight at the end of the stress period were -0.96 and -0.65 for 1998 and 1999, respectively.

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Research subject: Nowadays, due to the prevalence of coronavirus and the increasing use of disinfectant solutions and gels, the use of glycerin has also increased dramatically. But the suggested processes in this field need to be optimized in terms of production and energy consumption.

Research approach: In this paper, the transesterification method has studied and simulated, during which vegetable oil is converted into biofuel, and glycerin is also produced as a by-product of this process. For this purpose, process simulation of a conventional unit with 5.5 m³/min feed has been done in Hysys. Also, due to the importance of equipping the transesterification reactor, by importing the necessary process information, this equipment has been simulated in COMSOL MultiPhysics and the effective parameters have been studied in order to optimize the of product conversion. After validation of model, to better understand the factors affecting the performance of the transesterification reactor, the effect of selected parameters first examined by one-variable at the time design of experiment approach.
Main result: Finally, it has been shown that the feed temperature and the flowrate both have significance impact on quantity and quality of product and while providing a model for calculating the amount of glycerol produced per unit of energy consumed, the effective parameters are optimized by the response surface method. In optimal conditions of the ratio of product production to energy consumption, the temperature value was 470.7 K and the feed flow rate was 0.586 m³/s. According to the gained results, it can be obtained by adjusting the flow rate in the optimal amount, using a preheater in the production processes of biofuels and glycerin can have a significant effect on the amount of products produced so that the optimal temperature for the output of this preheater is at least 470.7 K should be considered. In the current research an optimization scheme has been suggested which can be used for different Biodiesel-Glycerol production units with varies range of flowrate.
 

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This study aimed to investigate the relationship between job stress and turnover intention with the moderator role of manager decisiveness and its impact on human resource planning. The population statistics is bank employees working in 22 banks in Fariman city. The sample which includes 152 subjects was determined by Cochran formula. Data were collected using standard questionnaires for each variable and its validity was confirmed by both content validity and face validity. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to determine the reliability of the questionnaire. The alpha coefficient was estimated to be 0.73 which indicates the reliability of the questionnaire. For the collected data Analysis, we used Amos22.0 and spss16.00 softwares Basic results showed that: 1) job stress and turnover intention of employees had a direct connection among the bank employees in Fariman. 2) The Manager’s decisiveness moderates job stress with turnover intention. 3) High-pressure work environment and job stress among staff intensify their turnover intention. 4) Planning of human resources in banks is possible by using quantitative methods. In the end it is suggested that we use the rate and method of Markov chain technology to forecast demand and supply of manpower in banks in Fariman.

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Aims: The social status of nurses is one of the factors affecting the professional identity and plays an important role in how people perceive this profession and also the tendency of people to this profession. So this study was conducted to determine the Iranian population's attitude toward the social status of the nursing profession.
Instrument & Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-section study was conducted in public places in Hamadan from October to February 2019. Four hundred citizens participated in the study by available sampling method from 4 urban areas of Hamedan. The data were collected by a social status researcher-made questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS 16 and, parametric statistical tests such as t-test and ANOVA and non-parametric tests such as Chi-square.
Findings: The mean age of participants was 34.30±9.98 years. The mean of the obtained score from the status questionnaire was 71.23±11.76, which was at a moderate level in qualitative leveling. Statistical tests showed that social status score was statistically significantly related to gender, education, and media relations (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Considering that individuals' attitudes on the social status of the nursing profession are moderate and people who had more contact with the media reported lower scores of social status, it is recommended that members of the media take action to reflect the true image of the nursing profession.

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Aims: Patients after diagnosis of COVID-19 may have psychological problems. Illness perceptions and social support can play an important role in individuals’ health and the effects of stress. This study aimed to determine the relationship between mental health, perception of illness, and perceived social support in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19.
Instrument & Methods: The present study is a cross-sectional study that was conducted in 2020. 143 patients with coronavirus who met the inclusion criteria participated in this study. Inclusion criteria are age over 18 years, full consciousness, lack of physical and mental disabilities, diagnosis of coronavirus with the approval of an infectious disease specialist, no history of mental disorders, and the ability to communicate with the researcher. Data collection tools were the 21-item depression, anxiety, and stress scale, Zimet’s multidimensional scale of perceived social support, and the brief illness perception questionnaire. Data were analyzed in SPSS 26 using independent t-test, ANOVA, Spearman correlation coefficient, and multivariate regression.
Findings: The mean score of depression, anxiety, and stress for all participants with coronavirus was 8.12±7.12, 11.74±6.02, and 13.92±6.80, respectively. In total, 30.1% of the participants had high illness perception and 59.4% had high social support levels. The multiple linear regression model showed illness perception and social support were associated with depression, anxiety, and stress. Drug history was associated with depression and anxiety. Oxygen saturation was associated with anxiety and stress (p<0.05).
Conclusion: In general depression, anxiety, and stress in patients with Covid 19 are associated with the perception of illness and social support, which is more strongly associated with social support.

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Aims: Quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic was an important factor in developing depression in cancer patients. Early diagnosing of depression in these patients is a health priority for the medical staff. This study aimed to investigate depression in oncology department patients at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Instrument & Methods: In the present cross-sectional study, the research population included all patients admitted to the oncology department of Shahid Beheshti Hospital and Imam Khomeini Clinic, selected by the convenience sampling method in 2022. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and a depression questionnaire. All the analyses of this research were done using SPSS 25 software.
Findings: The Mean depression score was 23.84±9.24. Based on the cutoff points of 13 (mild), 19 (moderate), and 28 (severe) for a total score of depression, 48 patients (16.49%) suffered from mild depression (95%CI: 12.22-20.75), 114 patients (39.17%) suffered from moderate depression (95%CI: 33.56-44.77), and 89 (30.89%) suffered from severe depression (95%CI: 25.29-35.88). The Pearson correlation coefficient also showed significant positive linear correlations between depression and age (r=0.21; p<0.001), age at onset of disease (r=0.20; p=0.001), length of disease (r=0.24; p<0.001) and length of chemotherapy (r=0.14; p=0.016).
Conclusion: Most cancer patients suffer from moderate to severe depression. Since there is a relationship between depression, the duration of the disease, and the duration of chemotherapy, it is recommended to check these patients for depression periodically.
 

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In giant magnetostrictive transducer, Young modulus of the core considerably alters with changing its magnetic level. Young modulus change in Terfenol-D core has the highest value. This effect, changes the resonance frequency and mode shapes of the transducer. This subject in Terfenol-D resonance transducer is studied in this paper. For this purpose, a resonance Terfenol-D transducer has been designed and fabricated. Node locations in the transducer are considered to add pre-load and bias mechanisms. Effect of Young modulus change on resonance frequency and mode shape were studied both analytically and by ANSYS FEM software. Range of resonance frequency change in the first mode is 1000 Hz and in the second mode is 100 HZ. Mode shapes changes are limited for both modes. In 40kA/m magnetic field bias, Results from analytical and FEM simulation were verified with experimental results. Resonance frequency in this bias is 3100 Hz for the first mode and 8252 Hz for the second mode. Results have acceptable agreement with experimental results. Moreover, in this bias magnetic field, impedance responses between first and second modes are compared. Results show that selecting second mode is preferable for reducing disturbance of Young Modulus change on vibrational behavior.

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It is well known that sugar beet is sensitive to salinity stress at the germination stage. Three separate experiments were conducted to study the effects of salinity on seed germination, plant establishment, and yield of sugar beet genotypes for screening purposes. These included: (a) A laboratory study using four water salinity levels (with EC values < 0.1 as the control, 16, 20, and 24 dS m^-1) with 20 sugar beet genotypes, which were evaluated in a factorial completely randomized design with four replications, and seedling characteristics were measured; (b) A greenhouse experiment where the same statistical design as the lab study was used for seed germination and establishment of 19 sugar beet materials, with irrigation water EC= 3 and 16 dS m^-1; and (c) A field experiment that was carried out to study the response of nine selected genotypes to irrigation waters with EC= 4 and EC= 16 dS m^-1, using a split plot design with three replications. Interaction effects of salinity and genotypes were statistically significant (α= 0.01) for percentage of germination, abnormal seedling, and root and hypocotyls lengths. Indeed, sugar beet germination decreased to 35% and dead seedlings increased to 80 % under salinity stress (EC= 16 dS m^-1) in the greenhouse. Genotypes were ranked from tolerant to susceptible. The results of field experiment were consistent with that obtained in the greenhouse. It can be concluded that salt stress decreased seed germination and, later on, crop establishment by increasing dead seedlings; consequently, sugar beet yield decreased. It seems that establishment is more susceptible to salinity than germination. Root length and abnormal seedling are good indexes for screening sugar beet genotypes for salinity tolerance at the primary growth stages. 

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In this paper, kinematic and dynamic model of planar cable-driven parallel robots are introduced in general form which are verified for a constrained cable-driven parallel robot in Sim-mechanics. Path planning based on artificial potential field approach is considered to prevent collision between dynamic obstacle, end-effector and cables in order to achieve collision-free path. As well as to reduce energy consumption, cable tension constraints have been involved in optimization of path planning. This method is proposed to control a cable robot. Therefore, obstacles are distributed randomly in order to have a complex environment. By this way, cable tension constraint is studied as one of the most crucial challenges for cable driven robots. Moreover, Fmincon function of Matlab is applied in order to take into account the required constraints and maintain the limits for cables tension. The latter leads to solve the redundancy resolution which is a definite asset in controlling a cable-driven parallel robot. Finally, a four-cables driven parallel robot is controlled by using the so-called computed torque method for tracking the desired and optimized path. The method is explained and obtained results indicate the efficiency of the proposed approach.

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Production of nutritious drink powders specially based on native or industrial by products is one of the research fields of interests in the food industry. Date syrup as a byproduct of date palm processing is containing a considerable amount of nutritious ingredients and monosaccharides. However this is a little use of this valuable ingredient in the food industry. Whey protein is also one of nutritious and energetic dairy industry byproduct that use of it has been recommended by many food science scientists. In the present study, the effect of concentration of each one of the components include date syrup (0-12%), whey protein concentrate (0-9%) and xanthan stabilizer (0-0/02%) on the phase separation and rheological properties of soft drink by mixture design- extreme vertices were investigated. The results indicated that phase separation deceased with increasing each components specially stabilizer (p<0.05).Generally, increase in components specially stabilizer altered the rheological behavior of soft drink from Newtonian to non-Newtonian.  Also optimization results showed that the phase separation was about 4% in the concentration of 1.49% w/v of xanthan, 8.6% w/v of whey protein and 10.75% w/v date syrup. Optimize formulation had  95 percent of stabilization, consistency index of 0.054 Pa. sⁿ and zeta potential of -34 mV.

 

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Dielectrophoresis is a phenomenon with wide application in the cell sorting system, in which, the dielectrophoresis force acts on a dielectric particle located in the non-uniform electric filed is used. In this study, governing equations on this phenomenon is presented and a new method for measuring dielectrophoresis force is developed. This method is based on measuring drag force on particle and solving the equilibrium equations. For this purpose drag force is measured in two directions, parallel and perpendicular to electrodes. To evaluate the method, an actuator has been developed which has paralleled electrodes with 50 μm widths and 50 μm intervals and a PDMS channel with height of 80 μm is mounted on them. In experimental result, the exerted dielectrophoretic force on U-87 tumor cell and white blood cell were measured. Since electrical properties of white blood cells are known, the accuracy of presented method was evaluated by using numerical simulation of their dielectrophoretic force and comparing with experimental results. Experimental results prove that the error of force measurement in traditional models, may be even more than 3 time of the actual dielectrophoresis force, while in presented method the source of this error is eliminated

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One of the very important issues in designing hand prosthesis is to consider their cover or cortex. The purpose of this research is to design a cover to have a similar behavior, as much as possible, to the human natural skin, in power transmission and deformation pattern. A layer made of Lorica®, which has similar properties to natural skin, has been added to the conventional cover which composed of three layers. Using finite element analysis Software, ANSYS V.15, the new four-layered cover has been investigated on three dimensional model of the hand prosthetics with different thickness for the outer layer, and the pattern of deformation and internal stresses in the prosthesis are measured. Optimal thickness of the outermost layer is evaluated due to stress and strain distribution and their transformation to prosthesis metallic core. The relationship between the thickness of this layer and the distribution of stress and deformation of the cover is not linear and direct and the thickness of 1.5mm shows better results among the measured values in this section. In this study, the fourth layer was added to improve the frictional and elastic properties of formerly used prosthetic covers, and its effects on stress and strain distribution in the prosthesis was investigated. It is determined that due to lack of linear correlation between the thickness and stress distribution, the optimal thickness of each layer must be selected based on design limitation like the ability of embedding tactile sensors in future for the minimum thickness.

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This paper presents a novel formulation for controlling the task space of the robot with the Remote Center of Motion (RCM) constraint in Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS). In MIS it is usually required to prevent any lateral motion at the point at which the robot enters the body, called the incision point or the trocar. Therefore, the surgical tool is only allowed to penetrate inside the body or rotate around its axis to avoid more injuries to the patient’s body. The proposed control law considers the RCM constraint at the kinematic level and the convergence of the task space error and regulation of RCM constraint are satisfied, simultaneously. Moreover, the null space of the robot is also exploited effectively within the framework to perform two additional tasks which can limit the RCM movement and optimize the manipulability measure of the robot. A comparative study is finally performed between the proposed approach and a well-known approach used in the literature. To evaluate the efficiency of the approach, a planar robot with 5 degrees of freedom with the trocar constraint is simulated and the results is verified successfully.

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This paper presents the problem of controlling multiple tasks in a prioritized scheme during accidental external physical interaction with redundant robot. This issue arises when robots are employed in social, unknown, dynamic environments for complex and critical missions. Exploiting robot redundancy to ensure safety and compliance during performing hierarchical tasks is considered in this work. A general approach to control the main task (position/orientation of the end-effector) with allocated priorities beside compliance behavior in the null space of the tasks is proposed. External interactions on the robot body are estimated with an appropriate observer without using any force/torque sensors which is further used to bring compliance in the redundant space. A novel task allocation method is proposed and the convergence of the task space error, interaction estimation error as well as null space velocities are guaranteed. Finally, the performance of the method is investigated through computer simulation and real experiments on KUKA robot arm.

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Many people suffering from neuromuscular diseases, have some degree of limitations in their walking pattern. Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthoses (KAFOs) help correct patients’ gait pattern by supporting knee and ankle joints. Patients with quadriceps muscle weakness suffer from some restrictions in extension as well as in controlling their flexion during the gait cycle because of abnormal stiffness pattern of the knee joint. This paper addresses patients with quadriceps muscle weakness by designing an appropriate orthosis utilizing two different mechanisms for the stance and swing phases. Stance phase mechanism locks knee joint movement from the initial-contact up to the end of mid-swing phase and with regards to the orientation of the foot after mid-stance phase, the knee joint can flex freely. The required moment to reproduce the stiffness of a normal knee joint is calculated using the OpenSim software package in conjunction with the data collected from the motion analysis of each patient.
The required moment to modify the stiffness of the knee joint for two patients with different levels of muscle weakness was reproduced using a torsional spring. By designing patient-specific orthosis, the stiffness profile of normal joint for each patient with distinct level of muscle weakness can be reproduced, allowing patients to experience smother gait cycle. Using this orthosis not only improves the patient’s gait cycle but also prevents potential damage to healthy muscles.

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Sardasht black grape (Vitis Viniferae cv. Rash) is one of the most important grape cultivars in west Azerbaijan province in Iran that mainly used for grape juice production. Black grape residues are a cheap source of bioactive compounds. In this research ultrasound-assisted (UAE) and maceration extraction (ME) were applied for bioactive compounds extraction of Sardasht black grape residues. A central composite design was used to obtain the optimal conditions of UAE and ME; the effects of operating conditions (temperature and time) on phenolic compounds, anthocyanin content and antioxidant activity were studied through response surface methodology (RSM). Optimized conditions were as follows: extraction time was 24 h, and temperature was 35°C for ME and 55°C and 15 min for UAE. Under these conditions the phenolic compounds, anthocyanins and antioxidant activity obtained by ME and UAE methods were 96.779 mg GAE/100 ml, 118.345 mg/L, 55.49% and 114.115 mg GAE/100 ml, 121.645 mg/L, 64.89%, respectively. This study provides evidence that UAE is an effective technique for the extraction of bioactive compounds from Sardasht black grape residues.

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Due to the growing demand for biocompatible natural ingredients, the use of hydrocolloids in the food industry is on the rise. Restructured foods are one of the most important aspects of the food industry, involving a complex mix of ingredients, as well as texturing and structuring processes. Achieving an optimal formula for gel formation with appropriate elastic texture can allow for the industrial application in various stuffed products such as olives and related products. Therefore, in this study, gelatin as a gelling agent at 3, 4 and 5 wt% and guar gum as a thickening agent at 0.5 and 1.5 wt% in 1 wt% citric or lactic acid were selected as restructured Ricotta cheese formulation and evaluated of textural properties and shelf-life. Tests included textural characteristics, gel stability, and shelf-life of the restructured cheese. Therefore, the appropriate formula of restructured cheese with appropriate textural properties was selected and evaluated for microbial properties. Due to the importance of sensorial properties of this restructured product, its sensory characteristics were also investigated. Process conditions during storage of samples were also investigated in citric and lactic acid. Finally, the formula containing 4% gelatin and 0.5% guar gum in the solution containing 1% citric acid was selected as the desired sample.

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Essential oils and extracts of black cumin have been attracted researchers in the field of protection of raw and processed food due to their antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds. In the current study, the chemical composition, antibacterial and antioxidant properties of black cumin essential oil extracted by Clevenger and ultrasound assisted (frequencies 37 and 80 kHz and 70 and 100% power) methods were performed and the optimization of extraction conditions according to the chemical properties of the essential oil. Antibacterial properties of black cumin essential oil against E.coli and S.aureus were measured by measuring the minimum inhibitory concentration and the minimum lethal concentration of pathogenic bacteria using micro-plate method. The antioxidant activity of essential oil was measured by examining the percentage of DPPH free radical scavenging. The results of analysis of black cumin essential oil by GCMS showed that the main composition of black cumin essential oil extracted by Clevenger method was γ-terpene with 30.03% and in ultrasound method was 31.04%. The highest efficiencies of essential oils and extracts obtained by Clevenger method were 2.04 and 0.75%, respectively, and in ultrasound method (80/100) for essential oils and extracts were 2% and 1%, respectively. The results showed that S.aureus was the most sensitive and E.coli the most resistant bacteria to cumin essential oil. Therefore, it can be stated that the extraction of black cumin essential oil by ultrasound method (80/100) could have the greatest effect on the extraction of essential oils and extracts and can be used to protect food against various systems. Benefit from oxidative and microorganisms that cause infections and food poisoning.