One of the important issues in the production of concrete is environmental variability that affects the concrete and elements constructed from this material. Due to the importance of different characteristics of concrete in short- and long-term conditions, this article aims to investigate the influence of initial temperature conditions of self-compacting concrete on its long-term characteristics and determine the initial optimal temperature of concrete. For these purposes, several experiments under three temperature conditions of 5, 20, and 40 degree-of-Celsius were conducted to evaluate the rheology and mechanical properties of fresh concrete in the range of 7 and 28 days. In these experiments, alternative mineral admixtures of cement such as micro-silica, fly ash, and zeolite were used to build the concrete specimens. Results demonstrate that the mechanical properties of the specimens increase with increasing initial temperature in the short term, while such properties significantly decrease in the long term compared to the specimens constructed under lower initial temperature. Moreover, the fluidity of self-compacting concrete increases with increasing initial temperature.

Air conditioning systems are used in industries and residential environments with the aim of improving environmental conditions and creating a comfortable temperature for users. Considering the production of sound and vibration in most of its components, the lack of control of the production sound level always exposes the users to unwanted sound, which in addition to hearing complications, also causes fatigue and dissatisfaction with the environmental conditions. . Compressors are one of the most important sources of sound production in air conditioning systems, and screw compressors are one of the most widely used in air conditioning industries. Therefore, the compressor shell should be designed to minimize the transmission of sound from inside to outside. Since the maximum working temperature of compressors is up to 80 degrees Celsius, therefore, in this research, an acoustic test was performed on a sample of a screw compressor shell in two modes of ambient temperature and maximum working temperature inside the acoustic room, and the effect of temperature increase on the sound pressure level. transferred from the shell to the external environment is discussed. Finally, based on the frequency analysis performed in two conditions of ambient temperature and maximum working temperature and comparing the amount of sound transmitted to the environment at different frequencies, practical solutions to reduce the amount of transmitted sound pressure have been presented.

The ability of plant communities in natural ecosystems to modify temperature has become increasingly important due to the profound impacts of global climate change, particularly in arid regions. However, previous studies have provided limited information on the long-term temperature feedback of these plant communities and the biotic drivers behind these changes. This study aimed to determine the functional traits and types of plant communities as biotic drivers of land surface temperature (LST) at the plant community scale, with a focus on identifying co-functioning communities in the Sirjan region of Kerman Province. To achieve this, we utilized the MODIS-LST 8-day composite product at the plant community scale and measured functional traits of dominant species through field operations. The results revealed that leaf dry matter content (LDMC), maximum height (MH), and leaf width (LW) traits significantly reduce LST. Additionally, cluster analysis indicated that the plant communities in the study area can be classified into five functional groups, which fall into two co-function categories. The S-strategized co-function (e.g., 26 communities), characterized by high LDMC values and a combination of abrupt and trend feedback in LST, was found to be more effective than the R-strategized co-function (e.g., 13 communities), which exhibited only trend feedback. Therefore, it can be argued that extreme temperatures, as a global concern, can be mitigated through careful selection of vegetation based on functional traits and strategies. This approach, particularly through rangeland improvement practices using species such as Astragalus spachianus, Cornulaca monacantha, and Launaea acanthodes, could play a significant role in addressing this challenge.

The current study aimed to optimize artificial insemination in aged broiler breeder hens in two experiments. In the first experiment, the effect of (two) different diluted semen temperatures (5 and 25 °C) of Hubbard rooster (40 roosters, 58 weeks of age) on fertility, hatchability and sperm penetration (SP) rate in the perivitelline layer of Hubbard hen (180 hens) were investigated. In the second experiment, three (different) sperm concentrations (100 (C100), 200 (C200), and 400 (C400) million sperm in 0.25 mL per hen) of Hubbard roosters (40 roosters, 62 weeks of age) on fertility, hatchability and SP rate of Hubbard broiler breeder hens (270 hens) were explored. In the first experiment, the results showed that the temperature of 5 °C of diluted semen compared to the 25 °C, increased percentage of hatchability of set eggs, hatchability of fertile eggs, and SP and decreased early embryonic mortality. The results of the second experiment showed the highest percentage of fertility and SP rate were observed at treatment C400. Also, in this experiment that highest percentage of hatchability of set eggs and hatchability of fertile eggs and lowest early embryonic mortality were observed at treatment C400. Return on investment (ROI) of the treatments C200 and C400 was approximately 2.9 and 1.4, respectively. In overall, the results of this study showed that (in attention to ROI and hatchability) to optimize artificial insemination of aged broiler breeder hens we can use a sperm concentration of 200 to 400 million in 0.25 mL per hens at 5 °C.

In this study, the life history characteristics of Trichogramma euproctidis (Girault), an established egg parasitoid species in southwestern Iran, parasitizing Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) were examined at 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, and 33 °C. The results showed that different constant temperatures significantly affected the number of parasitized eggs, development time, sex ratio, tibial length, number of parasitoids per host egg, progeny longevity, and fecundity. T. euproctidis failed to complete development at 18 °C, the lowest temperature tested. The mean developmental duration from egg to adult female decreased from 15.33 days at 21 °C to 7.25 days at 33 °C. An average of 188-degree days was required to complete development above the lower threshold temperature (7.2 °C). Survivorship was 96.20, 97.20, 98.33, 85.46, and 82.22 % at 21, 24, 27, 30, and 33 °C, respectively. The mean longevity of T. euproctidis ranged from 11.60 days at 21 °C to 4.57 days at 33 °C. Mean total progeny ranged from 19.50 / female at 33 °C to 168.70 / female at 21 °C. Data analysis demonstrated that different constant temperatures had a significant effect on the net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), and generation time (T). The intrinsic rate of increase (r) improved with temperature from 0.240/day at 21°C to 0.370/day at 27 °C and then decreased at higher temperatures. Generation time decreased from 16.90 days to 7.53 days with increasing temperature. The optimal temperature for development and reproduction of T. euproctidis was 27 °C. The results of this study showed that this strain of T. euproctidis appears to have the potential to be utilized in integrated management programs targeting H. armigera.

In this study, Mazafati date samples were dried using a cabinet drier at five temperatures (50, 60, 70, 80 and 90 oC) and air flow rate of 1 m/s. Changes of total soluble solids, browning, pH, acidity and color parameters (L*, a* and b*) of date samples during drying were determined and compared. The results showed that total soluble solids, browning index and acidity increased and pH of date samples decreased.Moreover, L* and b* color parameters decreased and a* value increased. Overall, it was concluded that the moisture of Mazafati dates can be reduced by industrial drying. Furthermore, air temperatures of greater than 70 oC have negative effects on color of the date samples. Therefore, drying temperature of 70 oC was found to be the optimum condition for drying process of Mazafati date.

Medical herbs with essence have important role in human's life. Thymus is one of the important ancient medical herbs in Iran.Volatile componds in the essence of herbs is affected by processing methods. In this research, two varieties of Thymus ( Thymus transcaspicus, Ziziphora clinopodiodes ) oriented to Khorasan province were dried in different temperatures of 30, 45 and 60oC and air flow rate of 1.5, 2.5 and 3 m/s, by using a cabinet drier. After drying, the essence of each sample was extracted with clevenger apparatus, the efficiency of each sample was determined according to volume and weight percentage. The experimental design was factorial in frame of complete randomized was performed in three replications. The quality of essences were analyzed with GC and GC/Mass. The results of the efficiency of essence showed that Ziziphora clinopodiodes in comparison with Thymus transcaspicus and the temperatures of 30 and 45°C and air velocity of 1.5 m/s had a higher effeciancy. The drying air velocity didn't show any effects on the quantity of essential compounds. In Thymus transcaspicus, the precentage of Thymol and Carvacrol in essence grew higher by increasing temperature. In Ziziphora clinopodiodes by increasing temperature, the amount of Isomenthone increased and Pulegun decreased and Piperitenone and Neo-isomenthol were remained constant and there was no relation between change in drying temperature and other essential compounds.

Potato is one of the most important agricultural crops and there is remarkable loss of this produce because of unfavorable storage conditions. Therefore, it is vital to convert raw potatoes into some processed products such as dried ones. Our aim was to evaluate three cultivated potatoes of Golestan province of Iran (so-called Agria, Satina and Kenebek) to find the best cultivar for dehydration. Also, we investigated the influence of drier type (Microwave oven and Hot air oven) and shelf life on the rehydration behavior of processed potatoes (powder and cubes). Total sugars, reducing sugars and ascorbic acid contents were analysed to evaluate the processing effect on product components. The factorial completely randomized design was selected as the statistical design and three replications were conducted for each treatment. In order to examine the quality and shelf life of products during storage, the analyses were continued until three months. Results revealed that there is significant difference (P<0.05) between microwave processed potatoes and hot air ones, due to different heat transfer mechanisms. For instance, ascorbic acid content in the former products was about 8.3 mg/100gr dry matter which was significantly (P<0.05) higher than hot air dried potatoes. Also water absorption of the cubes which were dried in microwave oven, was about 12% more than hot air ones. It was concluded that all the three cultivars were suitable for producing dehydrated products. Agria had the lowest amount of reducing sugars and the best color accepted by the panelists and Kenebek had the highest rehydration ratio but from from theoveral point of acceptability, Satina received the highest score amongst three cultivars.

This study was conducted in Rice Research Institute (Meandering deputy) to study the effect of drging temperature and paddy moisture content on broken percentage of high yielding varieties of Fajr, Neaamat, Neda and Sahel. Four varieties, three temperature levels (40°C, 45°C and 50°C) and three moisture levels (10-11%, 11-12% and 12-13%) were taken to be arranged factorically in a randomized complete block design of three replications. Samples were dried by a batch type drier. The weight of each sample was 200 grams. Samples milled by a roll type husker and an abrasive type whitener.Broken percentage and milled recovery were measured. The effect of drying temperature moisture content on broken percentage and milled recovery was not significant (P<0.05) in each variety. However results showed in relation to varieties of Fajr, Neaamat, Neda and Sahel the optimum drying temperature and moisture content were 40°C and 11-12%, 50°C and 10-11%, 500e and 11-12% and 40°C and 11-12% respectively.

Dehydration, as one of the practical ways to increase the shelf-life and applicability of yoghurt in various foodstuffs, is normally done by freeze drier (FD) which is an expensive and time-consuming process. For these reasons, in the present study the capability of microwave–vacuum drier (MVD), as an alternative process, was investigated. For doing so, the fat free yoghurt samples of 2.2, 4.2 and 6.2 mm were dehydrated under various combination of absolute pressures (60, 200, 400, 600, and 800 mbar) and microwave powers (35,130, and 260 W) using a lab scale drier designed in our lab. Based on our findings, the drying time of yoghurt in microwave–vacuum drier for thickness of 2.2 mm was considerably (80%) shorter than commercial freeze-drier. In addition, the dependency of the drying time to absolute pressure was much less than microwave power and yoghurt thickness. Furthermore, except the color and bulk density, the rest of the qualitative parameters of yoghurt powders dehydrated by MVD and FD methods were almost similar. It should be noted that the highest resemblance in terms of quality and color indices between FD and MVD powders was seen at combination of low microwave power and low absolute pressure (35 W, 60 mbar). All in all, the findings of this study showed the capability of MVD for production of yoghurt and other food powders and this technique can be introduced as a potential alternative for FD.