Effect of Intensity on Changes in Cardiac Autonomic Control of Heart Rate and Arterial Stiffness After Equated Continuous Running Training Programs

[EN] Background: It is well known that exercise training has positive effects on both cardiac autonomic function and arterial stiffness (AS). However, it is not clear that which exercise training variables, intensity or volume, or both, play a crucial role in this regard. This study investigates the chronic effects of high-volume moderate-intensity training (HVMIT) and low-volume high-intensity training (LVHIT) on heart rate variability (HRV) and AS in sedentary adult men. Materials and Methods: Notably, 45 males (age: 42 ± 5.7 years) were randomly assigned to a control (n = 15), HVMIT (n = 15), or LVHIT (n = 15). The HVMIT group ran three times per week on a treadmill at 50–60% of VO2max for 45–60 min, while the LVHIT trained at 70–85% of VO2max for 25–40 min. Both training protocols were equated by caloric expenditure. HRV, pulse wave velocity (PWV), hemodynamic variables, and body composition were measured before and after 12 weeks. Results: Both protocols (i.e., HVMIT and LVHIT) significantly increased the SD of normal sinus beat intervals (SDNN) and high-frequency (HF) bands (p < 0.05) after 12 weeks. Whereas the low-frequency (LF)-HF ratio decreased significantly in both training protocols (p < 0.05); however, these changes were significantly greater in the LVHIT protocol (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the root mean square of successive RR interval differences (RMSSD) significantly increased only in the LVHIT (p < 0.05). Moreover, a significant decrease in LF and PWV was only observed following the LVHIT protocol (p < 0.05). Some measures of HRV and PWV were significantly correlated (r = 0.275–0.559; p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results show that the LVHIT protocol was more efficient for improving HRV variables and PWV than the HVMIT protocol after 12 weeks of continuous running training. Interestingly, changes in some HRV parameters were related to changes in PWV. Further studies should elaborate on the link between central and peripheral cardiovascular adaptations after continuous and intermittent training regimens differing in intensity

Engineering nanocomposite membranes: Addressing current challenges and future opportunities

The engineering of novel membranes through fabrication and modification using engineered nanoscale materials (ENMs) presents tremendous opportunity within desalination and water treatment. In this paper, we present an overview of the applications of ENMs to organic polymeric membranes and desalination. The review will examine the motivation for introducing ENMs into polymeric membranes identifying how the characteristics of the ENMs, such as high surface area to volume ratio and mechanical strength, can be used to optimise and tailor membranes for particular applications. The overview will include ENM's classification, incorporation strategies and how their properties impact on the surface characteristics, robustness, functionality, morphologies and antifouling properties of polymeric membranes. The review will also feature discussion on the current issues facing the development and commercialization of nanocomposite membrane that harness the benefits of ENMs

Treatment of Textile Waste Water with Organoclay

ABSTRACT: In this study a sample of bentonite obtained from Semnan mines, was modified by a surfactant to prepare an organoclay with high surface area. BET analysis showed that the modification increased its surface significantly. The prepared sorbent was used for removal of dyes and other organic pollutants from a waste water obtained from Ekbatan textile company. Adsorption was studied in various times to obtain the saturation time. pH variation has significant effect on adsorption and led to variation of adsorbed pollutant. At pH=4.5 the pollutant concentration became minimum which showed the pH is optimum pH for adsorption. Increasing the sorbent to waste solution ratio up to 1.2 g/L also increased the sorption. Adsorption isotherm was investigated for fitting with Langmuir isotherm and it has good fitness

Transport and aggregation of Al2O3 nanoparticles through saturated limestone under high ionic strength conditions: measurements and mechanisms

Aluminum oxide (Al2O3) nanoparticles (NPs) are being utilized in a broad range of applications; thus, noticeable quantities of these particles are being released into the environment. Issues of how and where these particles distribute into the subsurface remain major challenges. In this study, mechanisms governing the transport and aggregation of Al2O3-NPs (Alpha-40 nm) through saturated limestone porous media under different ionic strength conditions were evaluated. For this aim, 50 mg of Al2O3-NPs was dispersed in 1 L of different electrolyte solutions including NaCl and CaCl2. Ionic strength range was selected from deionized water up to 500 mM. Breakthrough curves in the column effluent were measured by UV–VIS spectrometry. It was found that the presence of NaCl and CaCl2 in the suspensions led to formation of ion bridges among NPs. Thus, the stability of Al2O3-NPs significantly declined and NPs started to flocculate and form bigger clusters. Furthermore, ionic strength caused considerable delay in NPs breakthrough in the effluents and reduction of NPs recovery. CaCl2 compared to NaCl was found more effective in instability and deposition of Al2O3-NPs. In addition, the obtained results from transport experiments were checked against classical filtration and Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (DLVO) theories. The results were found to be in agreement with named theories

Controlling factors on the reservoir quality of the Asmari Formation: A case study from the Dezful Embayment

Material & Methods   The study is based on sedimentological and petrophysical data from two wells of a field located in the Dezful Embayment, where the Ahwaz Sandstone Member is present, alongside with some compar able sedimentological data from NW Zagros, where the Kalhur Evaporitic Member is extended. A total of 600 red-stained thin sections, 198 blue-dyed thin sections, and 908 poroperm values were the main data included in this study .     Discussion of Results & Conclusions   Facies analysis shows the Asmari Formation in the studied area is composed of 11 facies, representing three depositional systems. Most of the area was occupied by a carbonate depositional system with a ramp physiography. Meanwhile, in SW Zagros, a marginal marine deltaic system prevailed, and in NW Zagros a tectonically driven evaporitic intrashelf sub-basin was created by a combination of arid climatic condition, sea-level fluctuations and tectonics. In these two sub-basins, the deposition of Ahwaz Sandstone Member and Kalhure Evaporitic Member occurred, respectively.   Based on the findings, the main diagenetic processes affecting the Asmari Formation are micritization, dolomitization, dissolution, cementation, compaction, and minor fracturing. Micritization is a common process in the shoal and lagoonal facies, leading to a more susceptible facies to the later dolomitization. Dolomitization is the most pervasive diagenetic process of the formation, most of which occurred due to early diagenetic evaporative models (seepage-reflux and sabkha dolomitizations). Dissolution is another early diagenetic event in the strata, which probably happened by evaporitic brines. This process has dominantly produced moldic pores in the formation. Cementation as the main porosity destruction process has taken place in variable mineralogies and fabrics. Dolomite cement is the most widespread cement, precipitated in early diagenesis. Anhydrite cement is the more effective cementation event, influencing the reservoir quality of the formation and normally is the latest generation of the process in the Asmari Formation, succeeding other generations, commonly early diagenetic pore-lining dolomite cement. The cement in most places is in the form of poikilotopic and has patchy distribution, but in some other spaces has occurred as pervasive and pore-filling cement with even distribution, leading to a notable reduction in porosity. Compaction has taken place as both physical and chemical ones in the formation. Fitted fabrics and stylolites are the most prominent evidence for the chemical compaction, which are traceable in the shoal and grainy facies.   According to the results, the reservoir quality of the siliciclastic-dominated part of the formation was primarily controlled by depositional factors, especially lithology, but the carbonate part by diagenetic factors, particularly compaction, dolomitization, dissolution and anhydrite cementation. Generally, owing to moldic and vuggy porosities created by diagenetic dissolution, the carbonate-dominated part of the Asmari Formation has high storage capacity , where the pores make a separate network, because of the lacking of connection between them. Consequently, dissolution has had no effect on permeability and thus on flow capacity. In the strata, high flow capacity is extremely related to fracturing. In other words, where fracturing has occurred, the capacity is high and vice versa. The main porosity destruction process in the field is anhydrite cementation, which is more common in the oolitic shoal facies

Route exposure and adverse effects monitoring of Aflatoxin B1 in the workers of wet waste management, the role of body redox system modulation

Exposure to dust, containing different fungi metabolites such as aflatoxins is a risk factor for developing liver and kidney health abnormalities. Occupational evaluation of the aflatoxin's exposure-induced health abnormalities should include the monitoring of bioaerosols in the workplace and personal air, and applying of appropriate blood biomarkers to assess Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) detrimental effects on a worker’s health. However, to the best of our knowledge, these appropriate methods, especially determining the associated-adverse effects on health, following exposure, haven't been well documented in the literature at the wet waste handling sites. In the current study, the AFB1 quantity in the area, personal, and settled dust in wet household waste handling samples and AFB1-Albumin levels in the serum of workers in comparison with the control group were determined using high-pressure liquid chromatography with a fluorescent detector (HPLC-FLD) methods. Moreover, the adverse effects of AFB1 on the liver and kidney biochemical profiles of the exposed workers and its relation to antioxidant capacity in the household wet waste sorting were recorded in a consolidated investigation. The results demonstrated that the average airborne dust concentration and its associated AFB1 content were significantly higher in wet waste management sections as compared to the control place, corresponding to the serum AFB1-Albumin levels of workers. Furthermore, AFB1-induced changes in the serum biochemicals evaluating liver and kidney function tests and antioxidant profiles of workers in wet waste handling sections were indicative of their function abnormalities. The results imply AFB1-induced adverse effects on the liver and kidney functions may be mediated through the body redox system modulation

Effect of Plantago ovata Forsk seed mucilage on survivability of Lactobacillus acidophilus, physicochemical and sensory attributes of produced low-fat set yoghurt

Nowadays, consumers’ attention to the functional foods has increased significantly. In this study, the effect of different concentration (0.5, 1, and 2%) of P.ovata Forsk seed mucilage (PFM) on survivability of L.acidophilus, physicochemical, and sensory attributes of produced low-fat yoghurt were investigated in 0, 7, 14, and 21 days of storage period. Results showed that at the beginning of the storage period, the number of L.acidophilus in yoghurt samples containing PFM was significantly higher than control sample. The highest number of L.Acidophilus was observed in yoghurt sample contain 2% PFM (6.68 log CFU/g) on the first day of storage period. The lowest decrease of L.Acidophilus (0.2 log CFU/g) was observed in the sample contain 2% PFM. Treatments containing PFM had lower pH and higher acidity than the control sample. Addition of PFM to the yoghurt samples increased water holding capacity (WHC) during storage period significantly while syneresis decreased. The highest WHC (89%) and the lowest syneresis (6%) were observed in yoghurt sample containing 2% PFM. Sensory evaluation results showed that the treatments containing PFM were not significantly different in taste, but the probiotic yogurt containing 1% PFM had the highest acceptability in terms of total appearance and texture. Evaluation of L, a, and b values indicated that yoghurt sample containing 2% PFM was significantly lower in L and b values and higher in a value than the control sample. Therefore, using P.ovata Forsk seed mucilage in yoghurt sample formulation improved the physicochemical attributes and probiotic survivability of produced yoghurt sample

A Model for the Assessment of Organizational Dashboard Development Using Business Intelligence Logic in Organizations

Organizational Dashboard is a tool full of rich indicators, reports, and graphs that dynamically acts to help managers to control the performance of their organization at any time. For data productivity, using Business Intelligence(BI) logic is inevitable. BI is a system in which different, dispersed and heterogeneous data of an organization is integrated and through the establishment of analytical database for managers to make decisions. This study is a developmental and practical research. After reviewing literature and interviewing with 38 experts in universities and organizations, organizational dashboard developmental factors with the business intelligence logic were presented that were 357 codes. Using content analysis and focus group methods, these codes were grouped into 24 based content and 7 organizer contents. In the next step, in two distinct stages, using interpretative structural modeling method, the modeling of the basic themes and the organizing content separately and considering the consistency of the two models, their integration and creation of the final model of evaluation of the development of organizational dashboard with the logic of business intelligence has been made. This can be a precise roadmap for organizations to design and implement this system