Fish and shrimp waste management at household and market in Bushehr, Iran

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the estimation and management of fish and shrimp wastes in Bushehr province. Two-part questionnaire including the demographic information, and fish and shrimp waste disposal method were completed for 91 stores and 636 households. The quantity of generated wastes was estimated based on the 3 different Scenarios. In addition, the waste generation factor were calculated for common fish and shrimp species. Results showed the waste generation factor for fish and shrimp equal to 32.67 and 42%, respectively. The total quantity of fish- and shrimp-generated wastes in Bushehr province was estimated to be 29,388 tons per year, of which the quantity of generated waste by stores and by households was 3731 tons per year (16 ton per capita per year) and 8804 tons per year (34 kg per capita per year), respectively. The remaining quantity is related to other unaccounted sectors such as fish industries. Moreover, the biogas production potential from an anaerobic digestion were estimated 2,675,400 m3 per year, which is equivalent to 16,052 MWh. In addition, the biodiesel production potential was obtained equivalent to 19 kt, which is about 4.2% of the total diesel fuel requirement of the province in 2016. Graphic abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Experimental design approach to the optimization of PAHs bioremediation from artificially contaminated soil: Application of variables screening development

Background: The effectiveness of bioremediation systems for PAH-contaminated soil may be constrained by physicochemical properties of contaminants and environmental factors. Information on what is the most effective factor in bioremediation process is essential in the decision of what stimulations can be taken to assist the biodegradation efficacy. Methods: In this study, four factors of surfactant (Tween 80), humic acid (HA), salinity and nutrients in a 24 full factorial design were screened in bioremediation of phenanthrene contaminated soil by using a consortium of bacteria. Results: Between the employed levels of the factors only salinity had not significant effect. Optimal concentrations of surfactant, HA and nutrient were obtained by a response surface design. For phenanthrene biodegradation, a central composite face centred design (CCFD) showed that nutrient, surfactant and HA concentrations had highly significant, significant and insignificant effects, respectively. The best conditions with 87.1 phenanthrene biodegradation were 150 mg HA/Kg soil, 12.68 μg/L surfactant, and nutrients as K2HPO4, 0.8; KH2PO4, 0.2 and KNO3, 1 g/L. A high similarity was between the model prediction and experimental results. Conclusions: This study showed that nutrient with 81.27 efficiency could be considered as the most effective factor for practical implications of bioremediation process for PAHs contaminated soil cleanup strategies. © 2015 Ravanipour et al.; licensee BioMed Central

Experimental design approach to the optimization of PAHs bioremediation from artificially contaminated soil: Application of variables screening development

Background: The effectiveness of bioremediation systems for PAH-contaminated soil may be constrained by physicochemical properties of contaminants and environmental factors. Information on what is the most effective factor in bioremediation process is essential in the decision of what stimulations can be taken to assist the biodegradation efficacy. Methods: In this study, four factors of surfactant (Tween 80), humic acid (HA), salinity and nutrients in a 24 full factorial design were screened in bioremediation of phenanthrene contaminated soil by using a consortium of bacteria. Results: Between the employed levels of the factors only salinity had not significant effect. Optimal concentrations of surfactant, HA and nutrient were obtained by a response surface design. For phenanthrene biodegradation, a central composite face centred design (CCFD) showed that nutrient, surfactant and HA concentrations had highly significant, significant and insignificant effects, respectively. The best conditions with 87.1 phenanthrene biodegradation were 150 mg HA/Kg soil, 12.68 μg/L surfactant, and nutrients as K2HPO4, 0.8; KH2PO4, 0.2 and KNO3, 1 g/L. A high similarity was between the model prediction and experimental results. Conclusions: This study showed that nutrient with 81.27 efficiency could be considered as the most effective factor for practical implications of bioremediation process for PAHs contaminated soil cleanup strategies. © 2015 Ravanipour et al.; licensee BioMed Central

Facilitators and barriers affecting sexual desire in elderly Iranian women: a qualitative study

Elderly people are very common perceived as asexual but some studies have reported some variations. However, very little research has been done to determine the facilitators and barriers that affect sexuality, especially in relation to elderly women. This study was undertaken to explore perceptions of sexuality among a selection of married older women in Iran in terms of facilitators and barriers. Accordingly, a study was done on 27 married women, older than 60 years. Qualitative content analysis was used to identify four distinct subthemes that served as facilitators of sexual desire. These were determined as life satisfaction, favourable outcome, spouse's characteristics, and a sense of duty. Four other subthemes were determined as barriers to sexual desire; namely physical weakness, evolving emotions, a sense of taboo, and a sense of insecurity. All these variables appeared rooted in religious teachings, social stereotypes, or cultural traditions that constituted women's perceptions of themselves as elderly married women. Further study is recommended on elderly people that includes participants of both sexes and with different marital statuse

Microalgae biodiesel: A systematic review in Iran

The use of fossil fuels has faced the world with new challenges, so that renewable energy has become a part of the world's total energy consumption. Iran is rich in natural energy resources and can consider for using the renewable fuels like biofuels as an alternative to non-renewable. This study has two purposes. First, it purposes to provide an overview on all studies conducted in Iran in the field of biodiesel production from microalgae and fish waste. Second, it purposes to study the biodiesel production potential from those two sources in Bushehr province. Overall, 109 peer-reviewed articles were retrieved, of which 15 original articles were included. The results of the systematic review showed that biodiesel production research from algae and fish waste in Iran has increased in the last ten years. In addition, the minimum and maximum algae lipid content was obtained equal 17.5 and 52%, respectively. The lowest and highest amount of oil productivity was obtained equal 0.026 and 0.154 g/l.day, respectively. Also, the biodiesel production potential of Bushehr from aquatic algae and fish waste was estimated at about 196.1 kt, which is equal to 19.25% of the total diesel fuel requirements of Bushehr and 1.2% of the total diesel consumption of Iran in transportation sector. In general, the total revenue of $ 118.8 million from the aquatic microalgae and fish waste of Bushehr province can be obtained. The study concludes with biodiesel production policy concepts and avenues for future researches

Psychometric properties of social support questionnaire to measure empowerment in elderly patients with cardiovascular disease in Iran

Background: Chronic diseases and functional decline can affect empowerment among the elderly in the lifestyle management to benefit from social support. Aim: The aim of the present study was to determine the psychometric properties of Social Support Questionnaire to measure empowerment in elderly patients with cardiovascular disease in Iran. Method: This study was conducted on 250 elderly patients with cardiovascular disease referring to the medical centers of Bushehr city, Iran, using the convenience sampling method. Results: Content validity index and content validity ratio were calculated as 0.94 and 0.96 respectively. Based on the exploratory factor analysis, the number of the questionnaire items was reduced to 23 items. Empowerment was classified under seven factors. The internal and external reliabilities of the questionnaire were estimated as 0.85 and 0.83, respectively. Implications for Practice: The final questionnaire had appropriate psychometric properties and strength of factor structure. Therefore, this tool can be used by the healthcare providers in the health care systems of Iran. © 2018 Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

The effects of an empowering self-management model on self-efficacy and sense of coherence among retired elderly with chronic diseases: a randomized controlled trial

Azam Hourzad,1 Shahnaz Pouladi,2 Afshin Ostovar,3 Maryam Ravanipour4 1Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran; 2Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran; 3Osteoporosis Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; 4Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery; and The Persian Gulf Tropical Medicine Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran Background: Being elderly and retired are related phenomena that overlap in a time symmetry. The present study aimed to assess the effect of an empowering self-management model on the self-efficacy and sense of coherence (SOC) in retired elderly with chronic diseases.Methods: A randomized controlled trial that included 60 elderly people was carried out in Bushehr (Iran) in 2016. The participants were randomly assigned to either a control group or an intervention group. Based on an empowering self-management model, the intervention group participated in a five-stage plan: 1) self-awareness of changes and understanding their personal level of performance and expectations; 2) optimal goal setting; 3) planning; 4) adjusting physical, psychological, and social structures; and 5) evaluation. Self-efficacy and SOC were measured using the questionnaires developed by Sherer and Antonovsky, respectively, before and after the intervention. The results of the observed differences between the groups were subsequently compared. Data were presented as mean±SD.Results: The mean change of the self-efficacy score in the intervention and control groups was 9.48±5.32 and 1.68± 6.04, respectively, (t[56]=5.20, P<0.001). The mean change of the SOC score in the intervention and control groups was 24.17±12.05 and 0.10±13.42, respectively, (t[56]=7.18, P<0.001).Conclusion: The applied empowering self-management model led to an improved self-efficacy and SOC among the retired elderly with chronic diseases. This model can be used to empower the elderly to achieve comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness in their lives. Keywords: empowerment, chronic diseases, retirement, self-efficacy, sense of coherence, agin

Correlation between Fluoride Level in Drinking Water and the Prevalence of Hypertension: an Ecological Correlation Study

[No abstract available

Assessment of hazardous solid waste of industries in Dashtestan county in the point of view of environment

Background and aims   Wastes are defined as a solid, liquid and gas materials that is produced from human activities, as direct or indirect. There is the possibility of linking between different complex of Geographic Information, which have a descriptive and locative relationship, simultaneously. GIS (Geographic Information System) is as a bridge that it can relate resources  and management database together. The objective of this study was to investigate the condition of hazardous solid waste of industries in Dashtestan township and specification of volume and type of solid pollutants which probably can bring them in the environment and use of these outcomes for more recognition of establishment position of industries.   Methods   This study was evaluated on 8 industries according to type of products and type of each industry's hazardous solid waste. Then the 1/25000 scale digital topographic map was  provided and geographical coordination of each industries was determined by a GPS system. All of the obtained data were transferred to a GIS. Also a designed checklist and the existing standards were applied to determination of the list and the hazardous code of each industry.   Results   The obtained results showed that, 3 industries from 8, don't exactly conformed to the standards and in the sixth industry had susceptibility to be in the P category match to hazardous  waste list. All of the eight industries produced 174.5 ton/year of solid waste that 99.1% of them recycled after daily, monthly and seasonal storage.   Conclusion   62.5% of studied industries conformed to Iran protection agency's criteria, but some industries have a little problem in distance index from educational and residential centers.  Disposal of wastes in most industries didn't have any problem except in the sixth industries that   needs more investigation by experts and managers

Peer learning in clinical placements in psychiatry for undergraduate nursing students : preceptors and students’ perspective

Aim: To describe the experiences of peer learning in psychiatric inpatient settings during clinical placement of undergraduate nursing students and to highlight the possibility for peer learning in psychiatric outpatient settings. Design: A qualitative inductive design. Method: Questionnaires with 14 students and 12 preceptors in inpatient and outpatient care and interviews with one student and one preceptor in outpatient care were analysed with content analysis. Results: Students and preceptors perceived learning benefits with peer learning. They described how learning increased through exchange of knowledge and how collaboration created security and independence, structured learning activities were appreciated as a learning tool. Incompatibility of students was an issue that could be overcome. Peer learning was perceived to contribute to a secure learning atmosphere, increased self-confidence and to provide a deeper understanding of psychiatric nursing. Peer learning was described as promoting discussion and reflection on practice and preparing nursing students for their future profession