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1 – 10 of 36Mahsa Mohajeri, Shiva Hoojeghani, Azimeh Izadi, Mohammad Ghahremanzadeh, Farhad Pourfarzi, Ali Nemati and Ali Barzegar
This study aims to investigate the food choice motivations and some healthy food intake among Ardabil adults with different socioeconomic status.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the food choice motivations and some healthy food intake among Ardabil adults with different socioeconomic status.
Design/methodology/approach
The analysis is based on a focus group study conducted in September 2018. Self-assessed other food choice motivations, healthy food intake and socioeconomic status were reported in questionnaires. The study data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA test and χ2 test in groups of study.
Findings
Price was a primary motivation of food choice for low-level socioeconomic status persons. The wealthiest people total vegetable consumption was 3.59Â ± 0.004 serving/day, whereas the total vegetable consumption of poorest participants was significantly less than them (p = 0.012). Of the socioeconomics category 1 (SEC1) group participants, 82 per cent said that they consider food price when they were purchasing for their households, while only 28 per cent of SEC4 group said that they consider food prices when food choosing. Only 1 per cent of this group participants pay attention to food label when they choose foods.
Originality/value
This is the first study that investigated the food choice motivations in Ardabil adults. The results indicated that food price is the most critical food choice motivation. Based on this study results, the food policymaker can change people food security and food choices with some programs like as healthy food subsidies and unhealthy food taxes.
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Mahsa Mohajeri, Shiva Hoojeghani, Farhad Pourfarzi, Mohammad Ghahremanzadeh and Ali Barzegar
Obesity is a multi-factorial problem that develops from an interaction between diet, genetics, physical activity, medication, and other factors. This paper aims to examine the…
Abstract
Purpose
Obesity is a multi-factorial problem that develops from an interaction between diet, genetics, physical activity, medication, and other factors. This paper aims to examine the association between dietary diversity score (DDS) and obesity among adults of Ardebil.
Design/methodology/approach
This case-control study was conducted on 204 cases (obese and overweight participants) and 204 controls (healthy weight individuals) matched by socioeconomic status (SES), age (older than 30 years) and sex. Dietary intake was assessed using a 24 h food recall questionnaire. Data on physical activity and socio-demographic variables were gathered. DDS was computed based on the scoring of the 14 food groups recommended by the Food and Agriculture organization guideline.
Findings
The DDS of the obese group was higher (5.02 ± 1.02) than that of the healthy weight group (4.23 ± 1.18) (p < 0.001). There was a significant association between DDS and body mass index (BMI) in both groups of study, but this association was more significant in the obese group (β = 0.501, p = 0.021) than that of healthy weight group (β = 0.413, p= 0.042). Vegetable food group score in both groups of the study was associated with obesity inversely (p < 0.05).
Originality/value
This study was conducted for the first time in Ardabil city and the results showed for the first time that there is a relationship between dietary diversity and obesity. People with a higher dietary diversity score are more likely to be obese. In fact, this study for the first time proved that people who are obese have a more varied diet but less vegetables and fruits.
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Jaber Jafarzadeh, Laleh Payahoo, Mohammad Yousefi and Ali Barzegar
This paper aims to depict the mechanistic role of vitamin D on dementia prevention, relief of the severity and the complication of the disease. All papers indexed in scientific…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to depict the mechanistic role of vitamin D on dementia prevention, relief of the severity and the complication of the disease. All papers indexed in scientific databases, including Scopus, Elsevier, PubMed, Embase and Google Scholar between 2000 and 2021 were extracted and discussed. To present the mechanistic role of vitamin D in declining the severity of dementia, keywords including dementia, vitamin D, oxidative stress, inflammation, amyloid beta-Peptides were used.
Design/methodology/approach
Dementia is a prevalent cognitive disorder worldwide, especially in elderly people, which is accompanied by serious disabilities. Besides genetic, biological and lifestyle factors are involved in the incidence of dementia. An unhealthy diet along with micronutrient deficiencies are among modifiable factors. Vitamin D is one of the important micronutrients in brain health. Besides the involvement in gene expression, bone mineralization, apoptosis, inflammation, skeletal maturation, neurotropic action and hemostasis of phosphate and calcium, vitamin D also exerts neuroprotective effects via genomic and non-genomic pathways.
Findings
Vitamin D up-regulates the expression of various genes involved in dementia incidence via various mechanisms. Decreasing oxidative stress and the neuro-inflammatory cytokines levels, regulation of the expression of alternated Proteins including Tau and Amyloid-ß, calcium homeostasis in the central nervous system and also vascular are considered main mechanisms.
Originality/value
Considering the importance of diet in preventing dementia, adherence to a healthy diet that provides essential nutrients to brain function seems to be urgent. Controlling serum levels of vitamin D periodically and providing vitamin D by related sources or supplements, if there is a deficiency, is recommended. Future studies are needed to clarify other related mechanisms.
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Mehdi Fasihi, Mohammad Yousefi, Abdolrasoul Safaiyan, Mahdi Mousavi Mele, Mohammadreza Rostami and Ali Barzegar
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of green coffee extract on anthropometric index and lipid profile, fasting blood sugar, chemerin and malondialdehyde on subjects…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of green coffee extract on anthropometric index and lipid profile, fasting blood sugar, chemerin and malondialdehyde on subjects with metabolic syndrome.
Design/methodology/approach
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in Sheikh Al Raise Clinic from September 2016 to March 2017. The participants were randomly divided into green coffee group and placebo group. Green coffee group (n = 24) received green coffee extract (GCE), while placebo group (n = 24) took cellulose as a placebo, two capsules (400 mg) two times each day for eight weeks. The anthropometric index and lipid profile, fasting blood sugar, chemerin and malondialdehyde were measured at the beginning of the study and after eight weeks of treatment with GCE. Blood samples were collected before and after eight weeks of supplementation.
Findings
Significant weight loss, from 84.80 ± 2.12 kg to 80.94 ± 2.10 kg (ptime = 0.030, pGC = 0.007), as well as decreases in body mass index (ptime = 0.034, pGC = 0.006) were detected in the green coffee group after eight weeks. Also, the green coffee group has significant lower (pgroup = 0.029, ptime = 0.013) malondialdehyde (MDA) compared to the placebo group, and there was a significant difference between two groups at the insulin level and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (ptime = 0.001, pgroup = 0.048), (ptime = 0.012, pgroup = 0.007). However, there was no significant difference in lipid profile, fasting blood sugar and serum chemerin between two groups after eight weeks of supplementation.
Originality/value
This paper showed the statistical difference in body weight, malondialdehyde, insulin and insulin resistance after eight weeks of treatment. GCE might be associated to reduction in the carbohydrate absorption and the enhancement of lipid metabolism.
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Behzad Karimi, Amir Hossein Niknamfar, Babak Hassan Gavyar, Majid Barzegar and Ali Mohtashami
Today’s, supply chain production and distribution of products to improve the customer satisfaction in the shortest possible time by paying the minimum cost, has become the most…
Abstract
Purpose
Today’s, supply chain production and distribution of products to improve the customer satisfaction in the shortest possible time by paying the minimum cost, has become the most important challenge in global market. On the other hand, minimizing the total cost of the transportation and distribution is one of the critical items for companies. To handle this challenge, this paper aims to present a multi-objective multi-facility model of green closed-loop supply chain (GCLSC) under uncertain environment. In this model, the proposed GCLSC considers three classes in case of the leading chain and three classes in terms of the recursive chain. The objectives are to maximize the total profit of the GCLSC, satisfaction of demand, the satisfactions of the customers and getting to the proper cost of the consumers, distribution centers and recursive centers.
Design/methodology/approach
Then, this model is designed by considering several products under several periods regarding the recovery possibility of products. Finally, to evaluate the proposed model, several numerical examples are randomly designed and then solved using non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm and non-dominated ranking genetic algorithm. Then, they are ranked by TOPSIS along with analytical hierarchy process so-called analytic hierarchy process-technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (AHP-TOPSIS).
Findings
The results indicated that non-dominated ranked genetic algorithm (NRGA) algorithm outperforms non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) algorithm in terms of computation times. However, in other metrics, any significant difference was not seen. At the end, to rank the algorithms, a multi-criterion decision technique was used. The obtained results of this method indicated that NSGA-II had better performance than ones obtained by NRGA.
Originality/value
This study is motivated by the need of integrating the leading supply chain and retrogressive supply chain. In short, the highlights of the differences of this research with the mentioned studies are as follows: developing multi-objective multi-facility model of fuzzy GCLSC under uncertain environment and integrating the leading supply chain and retrogressive supply chain.
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Amin Barzegar, Mohammadreza Farahani and Amirreza Gomroki
Material extrusion-based additive manufacturing is a prominent manufacturing technique to fabricate complex geometrical three-dimensional (3D) parts. Despite the indisputable…
Abstract
Purpose
Material extrusion-based additive manufacturing is a prominent manufacturing technique to fabricate complex geometrical three-dimensional (3D) parts. Despite the indisputable advantages of material extrusion-based technique, the poor surface and subsurface integrity hinder the industrial application of this technology. The purpose of this study is introducing the hot air jet treatment (HAJ) technique for surface treatment of additive manufactured parts.
Design/methodology/approach
In the presented research, novel theoretical formulation and finite element models are developed to study and model the polishing mechanism of printed parts surface through the HAJ technique. The model correlates reflow material volume, layer width and layer height. The reflow material volume is a function of treatment temperature, treatment velocity and HAJ velocity. The values of reflow material volume are obtained through the finite element modeling model due to the complexity of the interactions between thermal and mechanical phenomena. The theoretical model presumptions are validated through experiments, and the results show that the treatment parameters have a significant impact on the surface characteristics, hardness and dimensional variations of the treated surface.
Findings
The results demonstrate that the average value of error between the calculated theoretical results and experimental results is 14.3%. Meanwhile, the 3D plots of Ra and Rq revealed that the maximum values of Ra and Rq reduction percentages at 255°C, 270°C, 285°C and 300°C treatment temperatures are (35.9%, 33.9%), (77.6%,76.4%), (94%, 93.8%) and (85.1%, 84%), respectively. The scanning electron microscope results illustrate three different treatment zones and the treatment-induced and manufacturing-induced entrapped air relief phenomenon. The measured results of hardness variation percentages and dimensional deviation percentages at different regimes are (8.33%, 0.19%), (10.55%, 0.31%) and (−0.27%, 0.34%), respectively.
Originality/value
While some studies have investigated the effect of the HAJ process on the structural integrity of manufactured items, there is a dearth of research on the underlying treatment mechanism, the integrity of the treated surface and the subsurface characteristics of the treated surface.
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Amir Ali Mohamad Khani, Toktam Aghaee, Jalil Mazloum and Morteza Jamali
A wide band perfect THz absorber is presented in this work. The structure includes two layers of graphene disks on the silicon dioxide dielectric layer while a golden plate is…
Abstract
Purpose
A wide band perfect THz absorber is presented in this work. The structure includes two layers of graphene disks on the silicon dioxide dielectric layer while a golden plate is placed at the bottom to act as a fully reflecting mirror against THz waves. According to the simulations, the device is robust enough to show independent operation versus layers thicknesses variations, chemical potentials mismatches and changing of electron relaxation time. The designed THz absorber in this work is an appropriate basic block for several applications in THz optical systems such as sensors, detectors and modulators.
Design/methodology/approach
The layers in the proposed device are modeled via passive circuit elements and consequently, the equivalent circuit of the device is calculated. Leveraging the developed equivalent circuit model (ECM) and impedance matching concept, the proposed device is designed to perfect absorption with 4.7 THz bandwidth that possesses over 90% absorption. Ample simulations are performed using MATLAB (ECM) and CST (finite element method) to verify the superior performance of the device. According to the simulations, the device is robust enough to show independent operation versus layers thicknesses variations, chemical potentials mismatches and changing of electron relaxation time.
Findings
This work reports a wideband THz absorber, composed of two graphene layers. This paper considers the circuit model representation for two different layers of the device. For a unique structure, a highly tunable response versus chemical potential is obtained. The circuit model approach and impedance matching theory are exploited to reduce computational time regarding conventional approaches.
Originality/value
A wide band absorber in THz band is presented. Leveraging circuit model approach and impedance matching theory, the design procedure is simplified regarding CPU time and memory requirements compared to conventional methods. Detailed calculations and ample simulations verify the performance excellency of the device to absorb THz incident waves in 2–6.5 THz frequencies. Also, the robustness of the device is investigated versus parameters mismatches like layers thicknesses and chemical potentials values. According to the simulations and absorption response, the proposed device is an appropriate block to be used in THz optical systems such as detectors, imaging systems and optical modulators.
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Hossein Omrany, Amirhosein Ghaffarianhoseini, Ali Ghaffarianhoseini and Derek John Clements-Croome
This paper critically analysed 195 articles with the objectives of providing a clear understanding of the current City Information Modelling (CIM) implementations, identifying the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper critically analysed 195 articles with the objectives of providing a clear understanding of the current City Information Modelling (CIM) implementations, identifying the main challenges hampering the uptake of CIM and providing recommendations for the future development of CIM.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper adopts the PRISMA method in order to perform the systematic literature review.
Findings
The results identified nine domains of CIM implementation including (1) natural disaster management, (2) urban building energy modelling, (3) urban facility management, (4) urban infrastructure management, (5) land administration systems, (6) improvement of urban microclimates, (7) development of digital twin and smart cities, (8) improvement of social engagement and (9) urban landscaping design. Further, eight challenges were identified that hinder the widespread employment of CIM including (1) reluctance towards CIM application, (2) data quality, (3) computing resources and storage inefficiency, (4) data integration between BIM and GIS and interoperability, (5) establishing a standardised workflow for CIM implementation, (6) synergy between all parties involved, (7) cybersecurity and intellectual property and (8) data management.
Originality/value
This is the first paper of its kind that provides a holistic understanding of the current implementation of CIM. The outcomes will benefit multiple target groups. First, urban planners and designers will be supplied with a status-quo understanding of CIM implementations. Second, this research introduces possibilities of CIM deployment for the governance of cities; hence the outcomes can be useful for policymakers. Lastly, the scientific community can use the findings of this study as a reference point to gain a comprehensive understanding of the field and contribute to the future development of CIM.
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Jafar Hayaty Nejad, Ali Mohamadi Sani and Mohammad Hojjatoleslamy
– The purpose of this paper was to determine the effects of the spinach extract and kiwi flavor on the physicochemical and organoleptic properties of yogurt.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper was to determine the effects of the spinach extract and kiwi flavor on the physicochemical and organoleptic properties of yogurt.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 48 yogurt samples including yogurts flavored with kiwi flavor (1, 2 and 4 percent) and colored with spinach extract (1.25, 2.5 and 4 percent) and a control yogurt (no kiwi flavor or spinach extract) were evaluated for chemical, physical and sensory properties during 21 days of storage. Data were analyzed by ANOVA using statistical analysis system.
Findings
Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were found between the control and kiwi-spinach yogurts in terms of viscosity and syneresis. The addition of the spinach extract to yogurt resulted in an increase in the syneresis, and a decrease in the viscosity. During the storage, the values of the titratable acidity, viscosity and syneresis of yogurt samples increased, while pH decreased significantly (p<0.05). Yogurt enriched with 4 percent spinach extract and 4 percent kiwi flavor was more acceptable than the other samples, and high scored with respect to overall acceptability by panelists.
Originality/value
No research had been done to formulate and compare the sensory and physicochemical properties of kiwi-spinach yogurt in Iran.
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Narender Kumar, Girish Kumar and Rajesh Kr Singh
The study presents various barriers to adopt big data analytics (BDA) for sustainable manufacturing operations (SMOs) post-coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemics. In this study…
Abstract
Purpose
The study presents various barriers to adopt big data analytics (BDA) for sustainable manufacturing operations (SMOs) post-coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemics. In this study, 17 barriers are identified through extensive literature review and experts’ opinions for investing in BDA implementation. A questionnaire-based survey is conducted to collect responses from experts. The identified barriers are grouped into three categories with the help of factor analysis. These are organizational barriers, data management barriers and human barriers. For the quantification of barriers, the graph theory matrix approach (GTMA) is applied.
Design/methodology/approach
The study presents various barriers to adopt BDA for the SMOs post-COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, 17 barriers are identified through extensive literature review and experts’ opinions for investing in BDA implementation. A questionnaire-based survey is conducted to collect responses from experts. The identified barriers are grouped into three categories with the help of factor analysis. These are organizational barriers, data management barriers and human barriers. For the quantification of barriers, the GTMA is applied.
Findings
The study identifies barriers to investment in BDA implementation. It categorizes the barriers based on factor analysis and computes the intensity for each category of a barrier for BDA investment for SMOs. It is observed that the organizational barriers have the highest intensity whereas the human barriers have the smallest intensity.
Practical implications
This study may help organizations to take strategic decisions for investing in BDA applications for achieving one of the sustainable development goals. Organizations should prioritize their efforts first to counter the barriers under the category of organizational barriers followed by barriers in data management and human barriers.
Originality/value
The novelty of this paper is that barriers to BDA investment for SMOs in the context of Indian manufacturing organizations have been analyzed. The findings of the study will assist the professionals and practitioners in formulating policies based on the actual nature and intensity of the barriers.
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