Removal of total petroleum hydrocarbons from polluted urban soils of the outskirts of Ahvaz, southwestern Iran

Earlier phases of economic expansion and urban development have resulted in significant sources of urban soil contamination. Petroleum hydrocarbons are one of the most common groups of persistent organic contaminants in the environment. In this study, two types of treatment in 3 concentrations were prepared that were included plant treated by 1% oil pollution, treatment by 1% contamination without plant (as control), plant treated by 5% oil pollution, the 5% pollution treatment without plant (control), 10% oil pollution treatment with plant and 10% treatment without plant (control) that 3 replicates were prepared for each treatment. The obtained extracts were concentrated to 1 mL under a gentle stream of nitrogen gas, and then 2 μg of the sample was injected into a UNICAM 610 series gas chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization detector. Primary Total petroleum hydrocarbons amount in 1%, 5% and 10% concentration was respectively: 9027.40 mg/kg, 49599.03 mg/kg and 99548.28 mg/kg. After 4 months its amount in different concentration with plant was 126.43 mg/kg, 4463.92 mg/kg and 19611.50 mg/kg. The best total petroleum hydrocarbons removal efficiency was observed in all concentration at 120th day. The results of this study showed that vetiver can remove petroleum hydrocarbons from contaminated soils effective. <br /

First record of marine gastropod Prionovolva brevis (G. B. Sowerby I, 1828) from Gujarat coast, India

The present study describes a single species of marine gastropod commonly called fruit egg shell cowrie, Prionovolva brevis (G. B. Sowerby I, 1828) reported for the first time from Gujarat, India. This species was found in association with soft coral (Dendronephthya sp.) in lower intertidal zone of Sikka coast. A morphological description with key characters, illustrations and geographical distribution of present species are given

Occurrence of Scleractinian corals from the outer Gulf of Kachchh, West coast of India

Coral reefs of the outer Gulf of Kachchh were surveyed for abundance and occurrences of scleractinian coral. The survey was conducted in the intertidal zone of three selected sites, namely Okha, Mithapur, and Shivrajpur. The maximum live coral cover area percentage was observed at Shivrajpur (72 %) followed by Mithapur (55.5 %) and Okha (45 %). In the present study, 23 species of scleractinian corals belonging to eight different families and 12 genera were recorded. The highest numbers of the scleractinian corals were recorded from the Shivrajpur with 22 species belonging to 12 genera followed by Mithapur with 16 species belonging to ten genera, and Okha 12 species belonging to eight genera. The Poritidae family contributed the highest number of scleractinian coral species assemblage followed by the Faviidae and Merulinidae family at all the stations. Geo-morphology of the coast and anthropogenic pressures are the two factors that seemed to have more impact on the distribution and diversity of scleractinian corals

Evaluating the clinical feasibility of an artificial intelligence–powered, web-based clinical decision support system for the treatment of depression in adults: longitudinal feasibility study

Background:- Approximately two-thirds of patients with major depressive disorder do not achieve remission during their first treatment. There has been increasing interest in the use of digital, artificial intelligence–powered clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) to assist physicians in their treatment selection and management, improving the personalization and use of best practices such as measurement-based care. Previous literature shows that for digital mental health tools to be successful, the tool must be easy for patients and physicians to use and feasible within existing clinical workflows. Objective:- This study aims to examine the feasibility of an artificial intelligence–powered CDSS, which combines the operationalized 2016 Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments guidelines with a neural network–based individualized treatment remission prediction. Methods:- Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the study was adapted to be completed entirely remotely. A total of 7 physicians recruited outpatients diagnosed with major depressive disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition criteria. Patients completed a minimum of one visit without the CDSS (baseline) and 2 subsequent visits where the CDSS was used by the physician (visits 1 and 2). The primary outcome of interest was change in appointment length after the introduction of the CDSS as a proxy for feasibility. Feasibility and acceptability data were collected through self-report questionnaires and semistructured interviews. Results:- Data were collected between January and November 2020. A total of 17 patients were enrolled in the study; of the 17 patients, 14 (82%) completed the study. There was no significant difference in appointment length between visits (introduction of the tool did not increase appointment length; F2,24=0.805; mean squared error 58.08; P=.46). In total, 92% (12/13) of patients and 71% (5/7) of physicians felt that the tool was easy to use; 62% (8/13) of patients and 71% (5/7) of physicians rated that they trusted the CDSS. Of the 13 patients, 6 (46%) felt that the patient-clinician relationship significantly or somewhat improved, whereas 7 (54%) felt that it did not change. Conclusions:- Our findings confirm that the integration of the tool does not significantly increase appointment length and suggest that the CDSS is easy to use and may have positive effects on the patient-physician relationship for some patients. The CDSS is feasible and ready for effectiveness studies