This study was carried out to identify the best required time for stratification along with the optimum time and generation power test of seeds. The treatments include 22 different periods of stratification from 10 to 32 days. The experiment was done as completely random design blocks with four replicate with 30 seeds within each block. The Ending time of stratification period was the same for all treatments. The percentage of rotten seeds, seed germination and rootlet length were measured, and then the obtained data were analyzed statistically. The results indicated that Chilgoza seeds incubated in temperature of 4°C for 33 days could germinate 38%. While the seeds with less than 16 days has no germination power. In general, this study suggests the period of 23-30 days as the best time for stratifying Chilgoza seeds.

Background and Objective: The unique properties of carbon nanotubes have been used for medical, biological and industrial applications, but it simultaneously exposure to humans and organisms poses a potential for toxic effects on human health and the environment. This study was done to evaluate the effect of multi-wall carbon nanotubes toxicity on kidney function and tissue in rats.Methods: In this experimental study, 50 mature female Wistar rats were allocated into five groups including: control and experimental groups with dosage of 2.5, 5, 10, 20 mg/kg/bw, respectively. Animals in control group were received physiological saline and Tween. Animals in treatment groups were received 2.5, 5, 10, 20 mg/kg/bw of multi-wall carbon nanotubes functionalized with carboxylic group with diameter less than 8 nm and length 30 micrometers in 8 steps in one day intraperitoneally. Blood samples were conducted in two phases: one day after the last injection and 20 days after the last injection. Urea, uric acid, creatinine and malondialdehyde levels were measured in blood serum. Tissue samples were provided by preparing histological sections of kidney in each group and stain with hematoxylin-eosin. The tissue structure of the kidney was examined by optical microscopy.Results: In the first stage (one day after the last injection), only the amount of uric acid at concentrations of 2.5 and 5 mg/kg significantly reduced in comparison with controls and other treated groups, respectively (P<0.05). There were no significant changes in the level of other biochemical factors in compared to the control. However, 20 days after the last injection, significant reduction in the level of uric acid and urea was observed in 2.5, 5, 10, 20 mg/kg/bw of multi-wall carbon nanotubes in compared to the control group, although significant reduction in creatinine was seen in dosages of 5 and 10 mg/kg/bw of multi-wall carbon nanotubes in compared to controls (P<0.05). Histological studies showed altrations in trated groups including accumulation of hyalinelike substances derived from the activity of eosinophils and accumulation of inflammatory cells (basophils and neutrophils) in the cortical and medula of the kidney, glomerular degeneration, Bowman capsule dilatation and degeneration of proximal tube wall in the renal cortex which these alterations were dose-dependent.Conclusion: Multi-wall carbon nanotubes functionalized with carboxyl groups even in low dosage (2.5 mg/kg) and after 20 days of injection cause toxicity in tissue structure and kidney function.

A characteristic of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is to allow individual decision making units (DMUs) to select the factor weights which are the most advantageous for them in calculating their efficiency scores. This flexibility in selecting the weights, on the other hand, deters the comparison among DMUs on a common base. For dealing with this difficulty and assessing all the DMUs on the same scale, this paper proposes using a multiple objective linear programming (MOLP) approach based on scalarizing function for generating common set of weights under the DEA framework. This is an advantageous of the proposed approach against general approaches in the literature which are based on multiple objective nonlinear programming.

Background: The effect of position and gender on chest movements and respiratory volumes is controversial and investigated in only a few studies.Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of position and gender on the breathing pattern during four different positions in healthy individuals.Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, twenty-eight (14 males, 14 females) healthy individuals participated aged 20-45 years. The optoelectronic plethysmography (OEP) method was used for the three-dimensional evaluation of chest wall motions and the compartmental analysis of the breathing pattern in supine, sitting, standing, and active straight leg raised (ASLR) positions. Volume changes in different parts of the chest wall were also measured.Results: Position affected total and compartmental respiratory volumes in both genders. Respiratory volumes decreased in the supine position compared to sitting and standing. Total and abdominal respiratory volumes also decreased in females when comparing supine positions with the ASLR. A higher pulmonary rib cage contribution was identified in females, and males exhibited higher abdominal rib cage volume compared with females. Conclusion: The breathing pattern was affected by position and gender, and the respiratory volumes increased in more upright positions, perhaps due to a greater gravitational load. The ASLR decreases the respiratory volume, which is probably due to increased postural demand.