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Article
Publication date: 14 November 2019

Shirin Amini, Sima Jafarirad, Reza Amani, Mehdi Sayyah Bargard, Bahman Cheraghian and Ali Asghar Hemmati

Post-partum depression (PPD) is a mood disorder that affects 20-40 per cent of women in their post-delivery period worldwide. The purpose of this paper is to compare dietary…

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Abstract

Purpose

Post-partum depression (PPD) is a mood disorder that affects 20-40 per cent of women in their post-delivery period worldwide. The purpose of this paper is to compare dietary intakes of energy, macronutrients, cholesterol, saturated fatty acids (SFAs), mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), some micronutrients and antioxidants in PPD patients with healthy controls.

Design/methodology/approach

This case-control study was conducted on 163 women in postpartum period (81 PPD and 82 non-PPD) using Edinburgh questionnaire for the diagnosis of PPD. Dietary nutrients intake was assessed using 147-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Portion sizes of food items were converted to grams per day. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between tertiles of dietary intakes with the odds ratio (OR) of PPD.

Findings

According to the fully adjusted model, highest tertile compared to lowest tertile dietary intake of SFAs [OR = 0.01; 95 per cent confidence interval (CI) = 0.00, 0.01, p = 0.001], MUFAs (OR = 0.01; 95 per cent CI = 0.00, 0.02, p < 0.001), total fats (OR = 0.01; 95 per cent CI =0.00, 0.01, p < 0.001) and cholesterol (OR = 0.06 ; 95 per cent CI = 0.01, 0.08, p < 0.001), thiamine (OR = 0.01; 95 per cent CI = 0.00, 0.01, p < 0.001), riboflavin (OR = 0.10; 95 per cent CI = 0.02, 0.39, p < 0.001), pyridoxine (OR = 0.03; 95 per cent CI =0.01, 0.32, p < 0.001), folate (OR = 0.01; 95 per cent CI = 0.00, 0.01, p < 0.001), cobalamine (OR = 0.01; 95 per cent CI = 0.00, 0.01, p < 0.001) , selenium (OR = 0.79 ; 95 per cent CI =1.36, 3.32, p < 0.001), iron (OR =0.68; 95 per cent CI = 0.24, 0.94, p < 0.001) and iodine (OR = 0.36; 95 per cent CI =1.10, 1.38, p < 0.001) had a protective effect on the incidence of PPD. Furthermore, higher intake of vitamin A and beta-cryptoxanthin can increase the incidence of PPD (OR =114.29; 95 per cent CI =17.85, 118.12, p < 0.001) and (OR = 4.85; 95 per cent CI = 1.49, 15.69, p = 0.015), respectively.

Originality/value

PPD may have destructive effects on the relationship between mother and infant. Results of previous studies demonstrated nutrients are required for the synthesis of neurotransmitters and have biochemical role in the nervous system.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science , vol. 50 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

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Article
Publication date: 27 June 2024

Nima Amani, Abdulamir Rezasoroush and Ehsan Kiaee

Due to the increase in energy demand and the effects of global warming, energy-efficient buildings have gained significant importance in the modern construction industry. To…

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Abstract

Purpose

Due to the increase in energy demand and the effects of global warming, energy-efficient buildings have gained significant importance in the modern construction industry. To create a suitable framework with the aim of reducing energy consumption in the building sector, the external walls of a residential building were considered with two criteria of global warming potential and energy consumption.

Design/methodology/approach

In the first stage, to achieve a nearly zero-energy building, energy analysis was performed for 37 different states of thermal insulation. Then, the insulation materials’ life cycle assessment was performed. These results were used to find a set of optimal modes in the Pareto front by using non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II multi-objective genetic algorithm. Thus, based on the data obtained from this method, it was possible to compare and choose different thermal insulation materials based on the distance from the Pareto front, reducing the environmental effects.

Findings

The results showed that replacing the windows was possible to save 3.24% in energy consumption. Also, selecting the proper insulation reduced energy consumption value by 63.13%. Finally, this building can save 69.31% of energy consumption compared to the base building by following the zero-energy building standard. As a result, the Pareto curve was introduced as a guide for the optimal design of the building’s wall insulation.

Originality/value

The proposed method provides designers with a framework for latent carbon analysis to access quickly and select optimal scenarios. It can also be used without restrictions for other decisions with different goals and criteria.

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Article
Publication date: 3 June 2021

Nima Amani, Abdul Amir Reza Soroush, Mostafa Moghadas Mashhad and Keyvan Safarzadeh

The purpose of this paper is to examine the feasibility and design of zero-energy buildings (ZEBs) in cold and semi-arid climates. In this study, to maximize the use of renewable…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the feasibility and design of zero-energy buildings (ZEBs) in cold and semi-arid climates. In this study, to maximize the use of renewable energy, energy consumption is diminished using passive solar architecture systems and techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

The case study is a residential building with a floor area of 100 m2 and four inhabitants in the cold and semi-arid climate, northeast of Iran. For thermal simulation, the climate data such as air temperature, sunshine hours, wind, precipitation and hourly sunlight, are provided from the meteorological station and weather databases of the region. DesignBuilder software is applied for simulation and dynamic analysis of the building, as well as PVsyst software to design and evaluate renewable energy performance.

Findings

The simulation results show a 30% decrease in annual energy consumption of the building by complying with the principles of passive design (optimal selection of direction, Trombe wall, shade, proper insulation selection) from 25,443 kWh to 17,767 kWh. Then, the solar energy photovoltaic (PV) system is designed using PVsyst software, taking into account the annual energy requirement and the system’s annual energy yield is estimated to be 26,291 kWh.

Originality/value

The adaptive comparison of the values obtained from the energy analysis indicated that constructing a ZEB is feasible in cold and semi-arid conditions and is considered an effective step to achieve sustainable and environmentally friendly construction.

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Article
Publication date: 20 November 2017

Reza Salehzadeh, Javad Khazaei Pool, Reihaneh Alsadat Tabaeeian, Mojtaba Amani and Marjan Mortazavi

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of internal marketing and market orientation on organizational performance based on the balanced scorecard (BSC).

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of internal marketing and market orientation on organizational performance based on the balanced scorecard (BSC).

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional research design, drawing upon a questionnaire survey, was used to collect data from a sample of restaurants. Structural equation modeling was performed to test the relationship among the research variables using findings from the 164 participants.

Findings

The results revealed that internal marketing positively influenced market orientation and performance. In addition, market orientation was a direct antecedent of performance.

Originality/value

The findings provide important academic, practical and political implications for restaurant industry.

Details

Measuring Business Excellence, vol. 21 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1368-3047

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Article
Publication date: 8 May 2017

Farhad Sharafati Chaleshtori and Reza Sharafati Chaleshtori

The purpose of this study is to evaluate antimicrobial activity of chitosan incorporated with lemon and oregano essential oils on broiler breast meat during refrigerated storage.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate antimicrobial activity of chitosan incorporated with lemon and oregano essential oils on broiler breast meat during refrigerated storage.

Design/methodology/approach

In this experimental study, antibacterial effect of lemon and oregano essential oils was measured using the microdilution method for four foodborne pathogenic bacteria. The effect of 0.5, 1 and 2 per cent (Wt./Vol.) essential oils with chitosan 2 per cent on microbial quality of broiler breast meat (slaughter age: 42 days), up to 9 days’ storage time in 4 ± 1°C temperature was evaluated. Also, organoleptic characteristics of meat samples in certain storage time were examined.

Findings

The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) for lemon and oregano essential oils ranged between 1.41 and 11.25 and 2.81 and 22.5 mg/mL, respectively. In the treatment groups, A decrease in total mesophilic bacterial count (TMBC) was observed up to sixth day, but TMBC increased on the ninth day. Decrease in lactic acid bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, mold and yeast in the treatment groups was observed compared with the control group up to the ninth day (p < 0.01). Overall, chicken meat containing 1 per cent lemon essential oil with chitosan had a greater acceptance rate (p < 0.01).

Originality/value

In recent years, active packaging containing essential oils have been used to maintain the quality and increase the shelf life of various types of meat, chicken, fish, shrimp, fruits, etc. Therefore, it can be suggested that using chitosan in combination with the aforementioned essential oils in combination might increase shelf life of chicken meat during refrigerated storage.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science, vol. 47 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

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Article
Publication date: 6 August 2019

Ab Kasaeian, Reza Daneshazarian, Fathollah Pourfayaz, Sahar Babaei, Mojgan Sheikhpour and Shima Nakhjavani

Because of its increased absorptance in fluid and reduced heat loss, direct absorption nanofluid (DANF) is receiving intense interest as an efficient way to harvest solar energy…

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Abstract

Purpose

Because of its increased absorptance in fluid and reduced heat loss, direct absorption nanofluid (DANF) is receiving intense interest as an efficient way to harvest solar energy. This work aims to investigate, for the first time, the application of DANF in parabolic trough collectors (PTC), a promising collector for solar thermal systems.

Design/methodology/approach

A representative flow and heat transfer study of different fluids in a straight tube is conducted, and the basic energy equation and radiative transfer equations are numerically solved to obtain the fluid temperature distribution and energy conversion efficiency. Ethylene glycol (EG) and different concentrations of (i.e., 0.1-0.6 per cent) multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in EG are used as sample fluids. Four cases are studied for a traditional PTC (i.e., using metal tube) and a direct absorption PTC (i.e., using transparent tube) including a bare tube, a tube with an air-filled glass envelope and a tube with vacuumed glass envelop. The numerical results are verified by an experimental study using a copper-glass absorber tube, which reveals the good potential of DANFs.

Findings

Compared with a conventional PTC, using DANF shows an increase of 8.6 per cent and 6.5 K, respectively, in thermal efficiency and outlet temperature difference at a volume fraction (0.5 per cent) of nanoparticles. The results also show that the improvement in solar efficiency increases with increasing particle concentrations, and the vacuum insulated case has the highest efficiency.

Originality/value

In all previous studies, an important section was missing as the effect of photons on the direct solar absorption trough collector, which is considered in this study. This paper proposes a new concept of using direct solar absorption nanofluids for concentrated solar collectors and analyzes the performance of both absorptance and transmittance efficiency considerations. To reveal the potential of the new concept, an analytical model based on energy balance is developed, and two case studies are performed.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 30 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Available. Content available
Book part
Publication date: 6 May 2024

Free Access. Free Access

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The Emerald Handbook of Ethical Finance and Corporate Social Responsibility
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80455-406-7

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Article
Publication date: 17 March 2020

Patrokil Kanje, Goodluck Charles, Elly Tumsifu, Lena Mossberg and Tommy Andersson

The purpose of this article is to examine the role of customer engagement (CE) on electronic word of mouth (eWOM) behavior among vacationers in Tanzania. The article disaggregates…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to examine the role of customer engagement (CE) on electronic word of mouth (eWOM) behavior among vacationers in Tanzania. The article disaggregates CE into cognitive process, affection and behavior and integrates eWOM passing into the eWOM concept.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 278 vacationers who had used social media before and/or during their trip in Tanzania was used. They were drawn at three major airports in Tanzania when exiting the destination. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the proposed relationships.

Findings

It is revealed that both the affective CE and behavioral CE positively relate to vacationers' eWOM seeking, giving and passing behaviors in tourism-related sites. On the other hand the cognitive CE relates positively only with eWOM passing behaviors.

Research limitations/implications

The varied relationship of the three CE dimensions (cognitive, affective and behavioral) with eWOM behaviors further confirms the multi-dimensionality of CE and the enduring psychological connection of individuals beyond participation in activities.

Practical implications

CE is multifaceted and enduring and thus managers should take a long-term, enduring and multidimensional perspective in facilitating CE development. Different content appeals are needed in facilitating CE in online platforms as CE dimensions relate variedly with eWOM behaviors

Originality/value

The study links CE and eWOM in a novel way by disaggregating CE and integrating the eWOM passing component into the eWOM concept in tourism-related social media sites.

Details

Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, vol. 3 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9792

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Article
Publication date: 13 March 2017

Javad Khazaei Pool, Reza Salehzadeh and Rashid Khalilakbar

Limitations of producing energy and the increasing demands in the electricity market in Iran have not only drawn the attention of authorities in the energy industry toward…

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Abstract

Purpose

Limitations of producing energy and the increasing demands in the electricity market in Iran have not only drawn the attention of authorities in the energy industry toward optimization of energy consumption, but also created marketing approaches toward these objectives. In this respect, it is important and even necessary to modify energy consumption behaviors. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of the criteria of an effective Internet advertisement for modification of energy consumption.

Design/methodology/approach

To provide a detailed understanding of customers’ perceptions of energy consumption advertising, a survey study was conducted. The research model is first validated and the formulated hypotheses are tested using the structural equation model (SEM).

Findings

The results showed that the audience’s attention, interest and desire for a piece of advertisement can predict their consumption behavior.

Originality/value

This study is one of the pioneer studies that highlights the importance of advertising toward modification of energy consumption. It seems that, the identification of the causal relations among attention, interest, desire and action, has not yet been clearly validated in the previous literature. This research contributes to the literature by developing and testing a comprehensive research model using SEM. So, the current paper offers vital guidelines to social marketers who are planning to modify energy consumption.

Details

Journal of Science and Technology Policy Management, vol. 8 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2053-4620

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Article
Publication date: 29 September 2022

Mohammad Reza Mohammadi, Seyed-Ali Mostafavi and Aref Khalkhali

Nutrition Bio Shield (NBS) supplement is a natural product that is processed from whole wheat grains. This study aims to determine its effects on depression, anxiety, stress and…

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Abstract

Purpose

Nutrition Bio Shield (NBS) supplement is a natural product that is processed from whole wheat grains. This study aims to determine its effects on depression, anxiety, stress and food craving in women with depression and obesity in a double-blind randomized clinical trial.

Design/methodology/approach

Fifty-six eligible clients with body mass index ≥ 25 and mild or moderate depression signed the informed consent form. They were randomly assigned to receive daily 5 g of NBS or placebo. The assessments included the depression, anxiety and stress-21 questionnaire, food craving questionnaire, visual analogue scale for appetite, precise anthropometric measurements and body composition analyses. The assessments were conducted at the baseline and repeated after four and eight weeks. One month after the study completion, the participants’ weight was assessed. The authors analyzed the data by independent sample t-test, repeated measures analysis of variance and multivariate analyses of covariance (MANCOVA).

Findings

At the baseline, no significant differences were observed between the groups regarding the main and demographic variables. After four weeks, stress reduced significantly in the NBS group (p = 0.04), and after eight weeks, anxiety (p = 0.02), stress (p = 0.008) and food craving (p = 0.05) reduced significantly in the NBS group compared with the placebo. After controlling for the demographic variables and baseline measurements, MANCOVA model revealed a significant effect of NBS in reducing anxiety (Eta-squared = 0.28; p = 0.001) and stress (Eta-squared = 0.19; p = 0.009). Fisher’s exact test showed no significant difference regarding side effects between NBS and placebo (p = 0.47).

Originality/value

NBS supplement is a patent and natural product that is processed from whole wheat grains. This product was efficient in reducing stress and anxiety after controlling for demographic variables and baseline measurements compared with the placebo and was safe.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science , vol. 53 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

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