Evaluation of mercury contamination in soils of industrial estates of Arak city

Background and Aims: Mercury is generally considered one of the most toxic heavy metals that rapid industrial development and industry uses of mercury cause accumulation of mercury in soil. The purpose of this study was to investigate the concentration and degree of mercury pollution in topsoil of three major industrial estates of Arak city.Materials and Methods: In this study three estates was investigated. Soil samples were collected from thedepth of 0 to 20 cm . 22 samples were taken and analyzed. Mercury concentrations in soil samples were determined by Advanced Mercury Analyzer (Model; Leco, AMA 254).Results: The mercury concentrations in soil samples range from 68.43 to 137.03 μg/ kg for soils, with a mean value of 102.07 μg/ kg. Means comparison showed significant difference among industrial town 2 with other industrial towns .Also there was no significant correlation between soil pH and Hg concentration.Conclusion: The result of this research showed that: Compared to earth crust, surface soils in industrial towns had higher mercury concentrations, but compared to other soils around the world, it did not show high levels of mercury and it seems that most of the sources of mercury pollution are natural. Despite the concentration of total Hg in soils are not acute, however the planning for emission control of this metal and other pollutants, with application of green plants purification technology should be considered seriously.Key words: Mercury, Soil, Industrial estate, Arak cit

Predicting emotional divorce based on metacognitive beliefs and psychological flexibility

Introduction: This study aimed to predict emotional divorce based on metacognitive beliefs and psychological flexibility. Materials and Methods: The type of study was cross-sectional. The target population was the total married individuals in Tehran. Using cluster random sampling 467 married people (282 women, 185 man) were chosen to complete the Gottman emotional divorce scale, Meta Cognition Questionnaire (MCQ-30), acceptance and commitment inventory and demographic information sheet. Results: findings showed that metacognitive beliefs and psychological flexibility had a significant relationship (p <0.01) with emotional divorce. These variables accounted for 24% of variance in emotional divorce. Negative metacognitions had a positive significant relationship with emotional divorce. In other words, by incremental level of negative metacognitions the rate of emotional divorce will increase. Also, positive metacognitions and psychological flexibility had a negative significant relationship with emotional divorce. Results showed that by increasing in level of psychological flexibility and applying Positive metacognitions instead of negative metacognitions the rate of emotional divorce will diminish. Conclusion: The current study support empirical evidence that a significant relationship does exist between aforementioned constructs. Given the implications of this research, by modifying of metacognitive beliefs and increasing psychological flexibility, the marital relationship can be improved. Thereby diminishing emotional divorce in couples.   &nbsp

Spinal subdural hematoma revealing hemophilia A in a child: A case report

BACKGROUND: Intraspinal bleeding especially in the form of subdural hematoma is rare in hemophiliacs. In the present case, we report a neglected hemophilic A child with such a problem and discuss its management options. CASE PRESENTATION: A 9-year old hemophilic A boy presented with quadriparesis, confusion and meningismus after a fall 4 days previously. There was no sign of direct trauma to his back. His CT Scan and MRI showed spinal extramedullary hematoma extended from C5 to L2. We corrected the factor VIII level, but two days later, the patient's lower limbs weakened to 1/5 proximally as well as distally. We performed a laminectomy from T11 to L2, according to the level of the maximal neurological deficit and recent deterioration course. The subdural hematoma was evacuated. The hematoma in other spinal levels was managed conservatively. In the week following the operation, the patient's neurological status approached normal. CONCLUSION: This case calls attention to the clinical manifestation, radiological features and management options of the rarely reported intraspinal hematoma in hemophilic children. Although this case has been managed operatively for its hematoma in the thoracolumbar region, at the same time it can be considered a successful case of conservative management of intraspinal hematoma in the cervicothoracic region. Both conservative and surgical management could be an option in managing these patients considering their neurological course

Optimal route planning of agricultural field operations using ant colony optimization

Farming operations efficiency is a crucial factor that determines the overall operational cost in agricultural production systems.  Improved efficiency can be achieved by implementing advanced planning methods for the execution of field operations dealing, especially with the routing and area coverage optimisation aspects. Recently, a new type of field area coverage patterns, the B-patterns, has been introduced.  B-patterns are the result of a combinatorial optimisation process that minimizes operational criterions such as, the operational time, non-working travelled distance, fuel consumption etc.  In this paper an algorithmic approach for the generation of B-patterns based on ant colony optimisation is presented.  Ant colony optimization metaheuristic was chosen for the solution of the graph optimisation problem inherent in the generation of B-patterns.  Experimental results on two selected fields were presented for the demonstration of the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Based on the results, it was shown that it is feasible to use ant colony optimization for the generation of optimal routes for field area coverage while tests made on the resulting routes indicated that they can be followed by any farm machine equipped with auto-steering and navigation systems

Single-Layer versus Double-Layer Laparoscopic Intracorporeally Sutured Gastrointestinal Anastomoses in the Canine Model

This study shows that the 1-layer gastrointestinal suture technique is feasible, safe and has fewer complications compared with a 2-layer suture technique

Application of smoothed particle hydrodynamics in evaluating the performance of coastal retrofit structures

This study develops an accurate numerical tool for investigating optimal retrofit configurations in order to minimize wave overtopping from a vertical seawall due to extreme climatic events and under changing climate. A weakly compressible smoothed particle hydrodynamics (WCSPH) model is developed to simulate the wave-structure interactions for coastal retrofit structures in front of a vertical seawall. A range of possible physical configurations of coastal retrofits including re-curve wall and submerged breakwater are modelled with the numerical model to understand their performance under different wave and structural conditions. The numerical model is successfully validated against laboratory data collected in 2D wave flume at Warwick Water Laboratory. The findings of numerical modelling are in good agreement with the laboratory data. The results indicate that recurve wall is more effective in mitigating wave overtopping and provides more resilience to coastal flooding in comparison to base-case (plain vertical wall) and submerged breakwater retrofit

THE EFFECT OF FRESH GARLIC ON THE LIPID PROFILE AND ATHEROSCLEROSIS DEVELOPMENT IN MALE RATS FED WITH A HIGH GHEE DIET

Objective: Garlic has a protective effect against hyperlipidemia and ghee in diet is considered as a risk factor for hyperlipidemia. We examined the effects of fresh garlic administration on body weight, lipid profiles and plaque formation in the male rats fed with a high ghee diet.Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups of 8. The control group consumed an ordinary diet, Group 2 received the 31% ghee pellets (high ghee diet) and group 3 received the 8% garlic+31% ghee pellets. After 9 mo, serum levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and atherosclerotic index (AI) were examined. Changes in body weight, daily food intake and plaque formation also were assayed in this survey.Results: The high ghee diet induced the significant increase (P<0.05) in serum concentrations of TC, TG and HDL-C, and a decrease in LDL-C concentration (group 2). While fresh garlic increased TG (P<0.05) and HDL-C levels and declined TC and LDL-C in treated rats (group 3). Meanwhile, ghee and garlic showed a favorable effect in reducing AI (P<0.05). No histopathological changes were observed in the Aorta of the rats.Conclusion: Evidence obtained from this study indicates that ghee and fresh garlic has potential effects in the prevention and control of hyperlipidemia complications and are beneficial when taken as a dietary supplement.  Â

بررسي ميزان آلودگي جيوه در خاك شهرك هاي صنعتي اراك

Background and Aims: Mercury is generally considered one of the most toxic heavy metals that rapid industrial development and industry uses of mercury cause accumulation of mercury in soil. The purpose of this study was to investigate the concentration and degree of mercury pollution in topsoil of three major industrial estates of Arak city.Materials and Methods: In this study three estates was investigated. Soil samples were collected from thedepth of 0 to 20 cm . 22 samples were taken and analyzed. Mercury concentrations in soil samples were determined by Advanced Mercury Analyzer (Model; Leco, AMA 254).Results: The mercury concentrations in soil samples range from 68.43 to 137.03 μg/ kg for soils, with a mean value of 102.07 μg/ kg. Means comparison showed significant difference among industrial town 2 with other industrial towns .Also there was no significant correlation between soil pH and Hg concentration.Conclusion: The result of this research showed that: Compared to earth crust, surface soils in industrial towns had higher mercury concentrations, but compared to other soils around the world, it did not show high levels of mercury and it seems that most of the sources of mercury pollution are natural. Despite the concentration of total Hg in soils are not acute, however the planning for emission control of this metal and other pollutants, with application of green plants purification technology should be considered seriously.زمينه و هدف: جيوه يکي از سمی ترين فلزات سنگين م يباشد که توسعه سريع صنعتي و استفاد ههاي صنعتي از اين فلز سبب تجمع آندر خاک می شود. اين تحقيق با هدف تعيين مقادير و درجه آلودگي جيوه در خاک سطحي سه شهرک صنعتي عمده واقع در شهر اراکصورت گرفت.مواد و رو شها: در اين مطالعه سه شهرك مورد بررسي قرار گرفت. نمونه ها از عمق ۰ تا ۲۰ سانت يمتري خاک شهر کهاي مورد مطالعهجمع آوري شدند. تعداد ۲۲ نمونه مركب مورد آزمايش قرار گرفت. یافته ها: در این مطالعه غلظت جیوه کل در خاک در محدوده68/43 تا 137/03 مبکروگرم بر کیلوگرم با میانگین102/07 میکروگرم بر کیلوگیرم تعسسن شد. مقایسه میانگین ها اختلاف معنی داری بین شهرک 2 با سابر شهرک ها نشان داد. نتيجه گيري: يافت ههاي پژوهش نشان داد که مقادير جيوه کل در خاک در مقايسه با مقادير پوسته زمين بالاتر بود اما در مقايسه با محدودهآن در خا کهاي جهان مقادير كمي بالاتر است. هر چند غلظت اين آلاينده در منطقه مورد مطالعه حاد نمي باشد ولي برنامه ريزي جهتكنترل انتشار اين فلز و آلايند ههاي ديگر بايد مورد توجه جدي قرار گيرد. همچنين كاربرد فن آوري سبز گياه پالايي به عنوان روش جديدجهت رفع آلودگي خاک مورد استفاده قرار گيرد