Kontinuirani postupak bistrenja soka od obične žutike pomoću pektinaze imobilizirane oksidiranim polisaharidima

Research background. Barberry juice is a rich source of bioactive compounds and shows different health properties such as antioxidant and anticancer activities. Clarification, as the removal process of suspended material, is an important step in the production of fruit juice due to its significant effect on the appearance, flavour and commercialisation of juice. Pectinase is the most important enzyme applied in juice clarification that breaks down the pectin polymer structure and reduces the undesirable turbidity. Pectinase immobilisation is a way to overcome free enzyme drawbacks such as instability, high cost, the difficulty of recovery and recyclability. Also, continuous clarification process which is highly preferred in fruit juice industry is not possible without enzyme immobilisation. Experimental approach. Pectinase enzymes were immobilised on the functionalised glass beads (glass bead with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane) by glutaraldehyde, polyaldehyde derivatives of pullulan and kefiran and the barberry juice was clarified in the batch and continuous processes in a packed bed reactor (PBR). Also, the effect of clarification on the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of the barberry juice samples was evaluated. Results and conclusions. The optimum conditions for clarification in the PBR were: flow rate 0.5 mL/min, temperature 50 °C and treatment time 63 min. Clarification led to a decrease in turbidity, pH, total soluble solid content, viscosity, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the juice samples. Also, this process increased the clarity, acidity, reducing sugar concentration and the lightness parameter of the barberry juice. The greatest effect of clarification on the studied properties of barberry juice was related to the pectinase immobilised by the polyaldehyde of kefiran in the continuous process and both new cross-linkers (polyaldehyde derivatives of pullulan and kefiran) immobilised the enzyme better than the common cross-linker (glutaraldehyde). Novelty and scientific contribution. For the first time, barberry juice was clarified with pectinase immobilised by polyaldehyde derivatives of pullulan and kefiran and the obtained results showed that the pectinase immobilisation by these new cross-linkers was much more efficient than by the glutaraldehyde as a common cross-linker. These findings can be of use for an industrialised production of fruit juices.Pozadina istraživanja. Sok od obične žutike bogat je bioaktivnim spojevima te ima razna ljekovita svojstva, poput antioksidacijskih i antikancerogenih. Bistrenje je postupak uklanjanja materijala iz suspenzije i važan je korak u proizvodnji sokova jer bitno utječe na izgled, okus i ekonomsku isplativost soka. Pektinaza je najvažniji enzim koji se koristi za bistrenje sokova, a razgrađuje polimernu strukturu pektina i time smanjuje zamućenost soka. Imobilizacijom pektinaze uklanjaju se nedostaci slobodnog enzima, kao što su nestabilnost, visoka cijena, malo iskorištenje i slaba ponovna iskoristivost. Osim toga, kontinuirani postupak bistrenja, koji se najviše koristi u proizvodnji sokova, nije moguće provesti bez imobilizacije enzima. Eksperimentalni pristup. Pektinaza je imobilizirana pomoću glutaraldehida te polialdehidnih derivata pululana i kefirana na staklenim kuglicama prevučenim (3-aminopropil)trietoksisilanom, a sok od obične žutike bistren je šaržnim ili kontinuiranim postupkom u reaktoru s nasutim slojem nosača. Osim toga, ispitana su fizikalno-kemijska i antioksidacijska svojstva soka. Rezultati i zaključci. Optimalni uvjeti za bistrenje soka u reaktoru s nasutim slojem nosača bili su: protok 0,5 mL/min, temperatura 50 °C i trajanje postupka 63 min. Postupkom bistrenja smanjila se zamućenost soka, snizila njegova pH-vrijednost i smanjili ukupan udjel topljive tvari, viskoznost, ukupan udjel fenola te antioksidacijska aktivnost. Osim toga, povećali su se bistroća, kiselost, koncentracija reducirajućih šećera te parametri boje soka. Svojstva soka najviše su se poboljšala bistrenjem pomoću pektinaze imobilizirane polialdehidom kefirana u kontinuiranom postupku. Oba derivata polialdehida, pululan i kefiran, imobilizirali su enzim bolje od uobičajeno korištenog glutaraldehida. Novina i znanstveni doprinos. U ovom je radu po prvi put proveden postupak bistrenja soka od obične žutike pomoću pektinaze imobilizirane derivatima polialdehida pululana i kefirana. Dobiveni rezultati pokazuju da je ovako imobilizirana pektinaza bitno učinkovitija od one imobilizirane pomoću glutaraldehida, te se može upotrijebiti u industrijskoj proizvodnji voćnih sokova

Mapping 123 million neonatal, infant and child deaths between 2000 and 2017

Since 2000, many countries have achieved considerable success in improving child survival, but localized progress remains unclear. To inform efforts towards United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.2—to end preventable child deaths by 2030—we need consistently estimated data at the subnational level regarding child mortality rates and trends. Here we quantified, for the period 2000–2017, the subnational variation in mortality rates and number of deaths of neonates, infants and children under 5 years of age within 99 low- and middle-income countries using a geostatistical survival model. We estimated that 32% of children under 5 in these countries lived in districts that had attained rates of 25 or fewer child deaths per 1,000 live births by 2017, and that 58% of child deaths between 2000 and 2017 in these countries could have been averted in the absence of geographical inequality. This study enables the identification of high-mortality clusters, patterns of progress and geographical inequalities to inform appropriate investments and implementations that will help to improve the health of all populations

Bayes And Empirical Bayes Estimators based on Generalized Half Logistic Records Data

This study considers the estimation problem for the parameter and reliability function of Generalized Half logistic distribution under record Data. We use the maximum likelihood and Bayesian procedures to obtain the estimators of parameter and reliability function of Generalized Half logistic distribution. We also obtain the Empirical Bayesian Estimators for the parameter and reliability function of Generalized Half logistic distribution and considered the problem of predicting future record in a Bayesian and Empirical Bayesian approaches. Comparisons are made between the different estimators based on a simulation study

Study of particle number size distributions at Azadi terminal in Tehran, comparing high-traffic and no traffic area

Vehicle traffic is known as the anthropogenic aerosol source in megacities. Exposure to ambient air pollution, especially particulate matter has become the most environmental risk factor. The main aim of this study is to determine the particle number and their size distribution in Tehran at Azadi terminal (located in the West of Tehran), crossing of Nawab and Azadi streets the area with high traffic, and campus of Tehran University as an area without traffic. Particle size distribution (0.3–1 μm) was measured using a Grimm Environmental Dust Monitor and was conducted in two seasons, hot and cold (summer 2016 and winter 2016). The measurement was performed twice per month. Although the average number of particles at Azadi Terminal was more than the other two locations in both seasons but it was not significant) p > 0.05). The average number of particles larger than 0.3 μm was 286.72 ± 129.55 and 183.61 ± 86.79 cm−3 in winter and summer respectively. In relation to particles size distribution, the average number of particles larger than 0.4, 0.5, 0.65, 0.8 and 1 μm in winter and summer were 111.5 ± 120, 29.3 ± 23.7, 8.2 ± 5.8, 4 ± 3, 2 ± 1.5 and 52.5 ± 37, 14.4 ± 10.8, 6.1 ± 5, 3.8 ± 3.5, 2.3 ± 2 cm−3 respectively. In the current study the highest number of particles significantly observed in winter time in comparison to summer. In addition, had no significant difference between the number of particles at three sampling locations. Keywords: PM, Traffic, Size distribution, Ira

Occupational Exposure to Infrared Radiation in Aluminum and Cast-Iron Foundries in Zanjan, Iran

The harmful effects of the long-term ocular exposure to cumulative levels of infrared radiation (IR) in glassblowing and foundries have been recognized since the late 19th century. These effects include cataracts, keratitis, and chronic dry eye problems. Therefore, infrared radiation measurements are critical and need to be assessed regularly in the industries and workplaces where there are high temperature furnaces, such as in the glass industries and foundries. However, IR measurement is not very simple, especially when the range of interest is one in which radiometers are not available, as for the IR-B and IR-C ranges, and commonly available radiometers have a limited sensitivity range. The present article deduce a calculation method for evaluating of IR irradiance based on Planck's radiation law for black body radiation and using an IR detector sensitive in the spectral range 750-1150 nm. Based on this method, workers exposure was assessed to all harmful wavelength ranges of IR radiation in three foundries (two aluminums and one cast-iron). The results suggested that IR-A and IR-B radiation (wavelength from 770 nm to 3000 nm) in the mentioned foundries were more than TLVs (threshold limit values) given by ACGIH. There were significant risks of health hazards due to IR radiation exposure. Personal protective equipment should be used in order to prevent serious damage to eyes and skin, and selection of appropriate equipment should be on an individual basis due to different radiation exposure

Equilibrium and Kinetic Studies on the Adsorption of Acid Yellow 36 Dye by Pinecone

Background & Aims of the Study: Dyes have significant role in environmental problems, due to their toxic effects on the food chain and sources of water. The purpose of this research was to study the adsorption of acid yellow 36 dye onto pinecone using batch system. Materials & Methods: This research was performed at laboratory scale and batch system. Equilibrium isotherms were modeled using Langmuir, Freundlich, and D-R models. Also kinetic studies were done by three models of pseudo first order, pseudo second order, and intra-particle diffusion. Results: The maximum adsorption was achieved at pH 5.0, adsorbent dose 0.7 g/l and contact time 20 min. The equilibrium adsorption capacity (mg/g) increased with increasing initial dye concentration. The Langmuir model (R2=0.99) provided the best fit for the experimental data. The adsorption kinetics were studied and best fit was achieved by pseudo- second order model (R2= 0.96). Conclusions: According to the results obtained of equilibrium and kinetic studies on the adsorption of acid yellow 36, pinecone can be a suitable and efficient adsorbent in the removal of yellow acid 36 dye from industrial wastewater

The effect of COVID-19 pandemic on human mobility and ambient air quality around the world: A systematic review

We conducted this systematic review to identify and appraise studies investigating the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) effect on ambient air pollution status worldwide. The review of studies was conducted using determined search terms via three major electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus) according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) approach. A total of 26 full-text studies were included in our analysis. The lockdown measures related to COVID-19 pandemic caused significant decreases in the concentrations of PM2.5, NO2, PM10, SO2 and CO globally in the range of 2.9%–76.5%, 18.0%–96.0%, 6.0%–75.0%, 6.8%–49.0% and 6.2%–64.8%, respectively. However, O3 concentration increased in the range of 2.4%–252.3%. The highest decrease of PM2.5 was found in 16 states of Malaysia (76.5%), followed by Zaragoza (Spain) with 58.0% and Delhi (India) with 53.1%. The highest reduction of NO2 was found in Salé city (Morocco) with 96.0%, followed by Mumbai (India) with 75.0%, India with 70.0%, Valencia (Spain) with 69.0%, and São Paulo (Brazil) with 68.0%, respectively. The highest increase of O3 was recorded for Milan (Italy) with 252.3% and 169.9% during the first and third phases of lockdown measures, and for Kolkata (India) with 87% at the second phase of lockdown measures. Owing to the lockdown restrictions in the studied countries and cities, driving and public transit as a proxy of human mobilities and the factors affecting emission sources of ambient air pollution decreased in the ranges of 30–88% and 45–94%, respectively. There was a considerable variation in the reduction of ambient air pollutants in the countries and cities as the degree of lockdown measures had varied there. Our results illustrated that the COVID-19 pandemic had provided lessons and extra motivations for comprehensive implementing policies to reduce air pollution and its health effects in the future.</p

Spatial homogeneity and heterogeneity of ambient air pollutants in Tehran

To investigate spatial inequality of ambient air pollutants and comparison of their heterogeneity and homogeneity across Tehran, the following quantitative indicators were utilized: coefficient of divergence (COD), the 90th percentile of the absolute differences between ambient air pollutant concentrations and coefficient of variation (CV). Real-time hourly concentrations of particulate matter (PM) and gaseous air pollutants (GAPs) of twenty-two air quality monitoring stations (AQMSs) were obtained from Tehran Air Quality Control Company (TAQCC) in 2017. Annual mean concentrations of PM2.5, PM10–2.5, and PM10 (PMX) ranged from 21.7 to 40.5, 37.3 to 75.0 and 58.0 to 110.4 μg m−3, respectively. Annual mean PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were higher than the World Health Organization air quality guideline (WHO AQG) and national standard levels. NO2, O3, SO2 and CO annual mean concentrations ranged from 27.0 to 76.8, 15.5 to 25.1, 4.6 to 12.2 ppb, and 1.9 to 3.8 ppm over AQMSs, respectively. Our generated spatial maps exhibited that ambient PMX concentrations increased from the north into south and south-western areas as the hotspots of ambient PMX in Tehran. O3 hotspots were observed in the north and south-west, while NO2 hotspots were in the west and south. COD values of PMX demonstrated more results lower than the 0.2 cut off compared to GAPs; indicating high to moderate spatial homogeneity for PMX and moderate to high spatial heterogeneity for GAPs. Regarding CV approach, the spatial variabilities of air pollutants followed in the order of O3 (87.3%) > SO2 (65.2%) > CO (61.8%) > PM10–2.5 (52.5%) > PM2.5 (48.9%) > NO2 (48.1%) > PM10 (42.9%), which were mainly in agreement with COD results, except for NO2. COD values observed a statistically (P th percentile across AQMSs. Our study, for the first time, highlights spatial inequality of ambient PMX and GAPs in Tehran in detail to better facilitate establishing new intra-urban control policies.</p

Long-term trends and health impact of PM_2.5 and O₃ in Tehran, Iran, 2006-2015

The main objectives of this study were (1) investigation of the temporal variations of ambient fine particulate matter (PM; 2.5; ) and ground level ozone (O; 3; ) concentrations in Tehran megacity, the capital and most populous city in Iran, over a 10-year period from 2006 to 2015, and (2) estimation of their long-term health effects including all-cause and cause-specific mortality. For the first goal, the data of PM; 2.5; and O; 3; concentrations, measured at 21 regulatory monitoring network stations in Tehran, were obtained and the temporal trends were investigated. The health impact assessment of PM; 2.5; and O; 3; was performed using the World Health Organization (WHO) AirQ+ software updated in 2016 by WHO European Centre for Environment and Health. Local baseline incidences in Tehran level were used to better reveal the health effects associated with PM; 2.5; and O; 3; . Our study showed that over 2006-2015, annual mean concentrations of PM; 2.5; and O; 3; varied from 24.7 to 38.8 μg m; -3; and 35.4 to 76.0 μg m; -3; , respectively, and were significantly declining in the recent 6 years (2010-2015) for PM; 2.5; and 8 years (2008-2015) for O; 3; . However, Tehran citizens were exposed to concentrations of annual PM; 2.5; exceeding the WHO air quality guideline (WHO AQG) (10 μg m; -3; ), U.S. EPA and Iranian standard levels (12 μg m; -3; ) during entire study period. We estimated that long-term exposure to ambient PM; 2.5; contributed to between 24.5% and 36.2% of mortality from cerebrovascular disease (stroke), 19.8% and 24.1% from ischemic heart disease (IHD), 13.6% and 19.2% from lung cancer (LC), 10.7% and 15.3% from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), 15.0% and 25.2% from acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI), and 7.6% and 11.3% from all-cause annual mortality in the time period. We further estimated that deaths from IHD accounted for most of mortality attributable to long-term exposure to PM; 2.5; . The years of life lost (YLL) attributable to PM; 2.5; was estimated to vary from 67,970 to 106,706 during the study period. In addition, long-term exposure to O; 3; was estimated to be responsible for 0.9% to 2.3% of mortality from respiratory diseases. Overall, long-term exposure to ambient PM; 2.5; and O; 3; contributed substantially to mortality in Tehran megacity. Air pollution is a modifiable risk factor. Appropriate sustainable control policies are recommended to protect public health

Assessing capabilities of conducted ambient air pollution health effects studies in 22 Eastern Mediterranean countries to adopt air quality standards: a review

Purpose: The Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) countries suffer from exposure to high levels of ambient air pollutants due to dust storms and have unique climatic as well as topographic and socio-economic conditions which lead to adverse health effects on humans. The purpose of the review was to evaluate the quantity and quality of published articles on air pollution and health-based studies in 22 EMR countries to determine if they can be applied to adopting air quality standards. Methods: We designed a review based on a broad search of the literature in the Scopus, PubMed, and web of science (WOS) databases published from January 1, 2000, to January 2, 2022, using combinations of the following relevant terms: air pollution, health, and EMR countries. The generic eligibility criteria for this review were based on the population, exposure, comparator, outcome, and study design (PECOS) statement. Results: The search results showed that following the PRISMA approach, of 2947 identified articles, 353 studies were included in this review. The analysis of the types of studies showed that about 70% of the studies conducted in EMR countries were Health Burden Estimation studies (31%), Ecological and time trend ecological studies (23%), and cross-sectional studies (16%). Also, researchers from Iran participated in the most published relevant studies in the region 255 (~ 63%) and just 10 published documents met all the PECOS criteria. Conclusion: The lack of sufficient studies which can meet the PECOS appraising criteria and the lack of professionals in this field are some of the issues that make it impossible to use as potential documents in the WHO future studies and adopt air quality standards.</p