Biosorption Behaviour of an Arid Land Plant, Euphorbia Rigida, Towards to Heavy Metals: Equilibrium, Kinetic and Thermodynamic Studies

T he potential of an arid-land plant, Euphorbia rigida E. rigida , for the removal of heavy metals [Pb II , Zn II , Cu II , Cd II , Ni II ] from aqueous solutions was studied in the current work. Batch sorption experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of pH, particle size, initial metal ion concentration, contact time and temperature. Besides, biosorption data was analysed by different isotherm and kinetic models. Equilibrium studies showed that the biosorption closely follows the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. From the kinetic point of view, pseudo-second order model gave the best fitting with the experimental results. The evaluated thermodynamic parameters showed that biosorption onto E. rigida was a feasible, spontaneous and endothermic process. The affinities of metal ions onto E. rigida decreased as Pb II > Zn II > Cd II > Cu II > Ni II in single metal biosorption. Besides, binary and ternary metal sorption studies were conducted to investigate the co-ion effect. Experimental results showed that E. rigida can be used as an alternative and effective low cost biosorbent for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solution

Provision of mental health and psychosocial support services to health workers and community members in conflict-affected Northwest Syria: a mixed-methods study

From Springer Nature via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2023-06-23, registration 2023-09-28, accepted 2023-09-28, epub 2023-10-04, online 2023-10-04, collection 2023-12Acknowledgements: We also acknowledge the contribution of WHO Attacks on Health Care Initiative to the conception and co-funding of this study and ReBUILD for Resilience (R4R) for supporting some of the staff time and the publication cost. We thank the ‘Humanitarian Initiative Organization’ (HIA) for their support in data collection.Publication status: PublishedFunder: World Health Organization; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100004423Background: Northwest Syria (NWS) is a conflict area with challenging political, economic, demographic and social dynamics. The region has a high number of internally displaced persons with increasingly disrupted delivery of basic services, including healthcare. Mental health needs have been increasing in the region while the infrastructure and capacity of the health sector has been negatively affected by the conflict. This study aimed to explore the provision of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services to communities in NWS (including healthcare workers) and to assess the experiences of beneficiaries with MHPSS services. Methods: The study followed a mixed-methods research design that included qualitative and participatory methods (44 semi-structured interviews and a group model building workshop with 15 participants) as well as a survey with 462 beneficiaries. Results: Findings suggested an improvement of MHPSS services in the region over the last few years due to the creation of a specific Technical Working Group for MHPSS that contributed to assessment of community needs and support of the MHPSS response. The key elements of this response were: (1) training non-specialized health workers to address the shortage in specialized providers; (2) securing funding and coordination of services between different organizations; and (3) addressing gaps in the availability and geographical distribution of other needed resources, such as medicines. While those elements contributed to improving access to services and the quality of services—especially among health workers seeking MHPSS services—findings suggested gaps in the sustainability of services and a need to scale up those interventions in an integrated approach. Conclusion: The study findings add to the evidence base on the challenges in scaling up MHPSS interventions and their long-term sustainability concerns. Priority actions should address the intermittent funding of the MHPSS response, incorporate MHPSS outputs and outcomes in the reimbursement of routine services, improve coordination between health partners and non-health actors in order to expand the scope of MHPSS response, and address the inequitable availability of resources in the region.pubpu

Assessment of the factors affecting the advance rate of the Tunnel Gerede, the longest and one of the most problematic water transmission tunnels of Turkey

WOS: 000468250300013The Gerede Tunnel, with approximately 31.6 km in length, is Turkeys longest water transmission tunnel as of 2018. The tunnel will transmit the water from the Gerede River to the Camlidere reservoir, providing drinking water to Ankara. The tunnel is divided into three sections as Umitkoy, Havullu and Camlidere, and excavations started in each section with separate tunnel boring machine (TBM-1, TBM-2 and TBM-3 respectively). The excavation, started in 2012, completed within 508 days without significant problem in the Umitkoy section having 9588 m length. In Havullu and Camlidere sections, TBMs were blocked due to high pressure water and also material ingression. This caused the progress in the tunnel to be delayed repeatedly. In addition, the harsh conditions forced to be drilled upwards after 6061th m in the Havullu section, and to be drive with another type of TBM after 7235 m in the Camlidere section. Finally, the last 8821 m was completed with the EPB machine. The daily average advance rates of TBM-1, TBM-2 and TBM-3 are respectively 18.77 m, 6.13 m and 9.37 m. For the modified EPB type TBM-4, which takes over the task of TBM-3 and TBM-2 in the last 8821 m, the advance rate is 9.56 m/day. According to the analysis, the tectonic structure, hydrogeology and TBM type are the most effective parameters on the advance rate of the Gerede Tunnel. Experiences obtained from the tunnel show that geological-tectonic-hydrogeological studies should be carried out in detail in project phase and TBM selection according to these conditions, particularly against collapse and high pressure water ingress, have vital importance

Effect of mechanical activation on manganese extraction from manganese carbonate ore in acidic media

215-219<span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;mso-ansi-language:EN-US" lang="EN-US">A manganese carbonate ore has been mechanically activated at different milling times and the effect of mechanical activation on the ore structure is analyzed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and particle size analysis. The activation procedure leads to amorphisation and structural disordering of the ore structure. Sulfuric acid leaching of the non-activated and activated manganese carbonate ore has been studied at different temperatures, durations, and acid concentrations. The results show that dissolution of manganese increases from 69% to 100% in acidic leaching with 1 M H2SO4 at 70°C after 30 min of mechanical activation, due to amorphisation in structure and creating more surface area. </span

Effect of mechanical activation on manganese extraction from manganese carbonate ore in acidic media

A manganese carbonate ore has been mechanically activated at different milling times and the effect of mechanical activation on the ore structure is analyzed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and particle size analysis. The activation procedure leads to amorphisation and structural disordering of the ore structure. Sulfuric acid leaching of the non-activated and activated manganese carbonate ore has been studied at different temperatures, durations, and acid concentrations. The results show that dissolution of manganese increases from 69\% to 100\% in acidic leaching with 1 M H2SO4 at 70 degrees C after 30 min of mechanical activation, due to amorphisation in structure and creating more surface area

Development of Adolescents' perceptions of the nursing image scale and evaluation of its psychometric properties: A methodological study

Background and purpose: It is important to assess the perception of the nursing image among adolescents, the group closest to the career decision, to enhance their view of the nursing image. This study was conducted to develop the Adolescents' Perceptions of Nursing Image Scale (APNIS) and evaluate its psychometric properties. Method: The study has a descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational, and methodological design. The study was conducted with 614 adolescents aged 12–18 years in Turkey between October 15, 2022, and December 15, 2022. The data were analyzed using the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin coefficient, Barlett's test, factor analyses, Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient, split-half analysis, item sum statistics, Hotelling's T2, and test-retest analysis. Results: As a result of the explanatory factor analysis, the items on the scale were collected under six sub-dimensions, and the scale explained 62.843% of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the model fit was adequate. The total internal consistency Cronbach alpha value of the scale is 0.90, and the sub-dimension Cronbach alpha values are between 0.70 and 0.90. The Spearman-Brown coefficient of the scale was 0.94, the Guttman-split-half coefficient was 0.94, Hotelling's T2 value was 373.829, F = 9.510, and p 0.05, the scale was found to be summable. The test-retest result of the scale was r = 0.899. Conclusion: The 38-item APNIS is a valid and reliable tool that assesses adolescents' perceptions of the nursing image. Practice implications: The scale, including universal items about the nursing image, is easy and practical to use