Investigating the role of religious beliefs of people interacting with the environment : a case of Iranian students at Muslim universities

Undoubtedly, environmental damage is one of the most important challenges facing contemporary human beings. This is important because the signs that threaten this damage have now become apparent, threatening humans with widespread environmental pollution. On the other hand, humanity will not be able to live a normal life without a safe and healthy environment. Therefore, preservation and protection of the environment, as the most important basic needs of survival, are considered by everyone, including researchers. As a consequence, various studies aim to identify the factors that play a role in how humans and the environment interact. To this end, the present study considered the comprehensiveness of Islam and paid attention to all human needs, and intended to examine the role of religious beliefs on how to interact with the environment. It is worth mentioning that the statistical population of this study comprised 387 Iranian Muslim students (from different Islamic religions) from different universities in Iran. After the distribution of standardised research questionnaires whose validity and reliability was confirmed, the collected data were analysed by statistical software. Finally, the results concluded the following: (1) The investigated statistical population pledged and bonded to religious instructions, (2) the investigated statistical population had an appropriate interaction with the environment and (3) the obligation and pledge to religious beliefs had a positive and significant role in people interacting with the environment so that people with strong religious beliefs had a more appropriate interaction with the environment, in opposition to people with less religious beliefs whose interaction with the environment was not apt. CONTRIBUTION: This research provides further insight into the relations between Theology, religious beliefs and the interaction of people with the environment.http://www.hts.org.zapm2021Dogmatics and Christian Ethic

Reducing industrial dust pollution by Ash tree Fraxinus excelsior in urban green belt

Heavy metal pollutionis one of the largest problems in the Environment and human being. In industrial and urban areas trees can give better quantifications for pollutant concentrations and atmospheric deposition than non-biological samples. In order to know ability of Fraxinus excelsior­ (Ash tree) to reduce the concentrations of heavy metals and compared with the concentration of these pollutants in falling dust urban green belt. The results showed that the concentration of Iron, Manganese, Zinc, Lead, and Cadmium in falling dust respectively were the highest to the lowest. The distance from the highway in the concentration of pollutants in leaves and bark of the Ash tree showed significant results. Also, the effect of pollutant in the leaf of this plant was higher than that of bark, except for Cobalt. Concentrations of Zinc, Cobalt, and Nickel, increased with increasing distance from the road due to multi-directional winds and the presence of other contaminants. The Pearson correlation analysis between heavy metals found in the falling dust and Ash tree showed that the input and controlling factors of these elements in the Ash tree are probably the same as the dust. The results showed that the Fraxinus excelsior leaf with the amount of accumulation index of 1607 mg/kg has more ability to simultaneously absorb different metals. As a result, since this green belt surrounds Yazd urban area, it is hoped that a significant amount of heavy metals will be absorbed by these trees

Multi-objective optimisation of a seasonal solar thermal energy storage system combined with an earth – Air heat exchanger for net zero energy building

peer reviewedNet Zero Energy Building (NZEB) is a high performance building concept that integrates passive design and renewable energy systems. The aim of this paper is to analyze the performance of multi-integrated renewable energy systems for nearly zero energy buildings in the Mediterranean context. Taking into account the particular technical characteristics of net-zero energy buildings, this study focuses on three different systems: 1) an Earth – Air Heat Exchanger (EAHE), 2) an Underground Tank (UNT) and 3) a Solar Thermal Collector. The first step of the methodology was to study the energy efficiency of the combination between EAHE and UNT for heating needs. An experimental facility equipped with monitoring sensors was constructed. For the second step, we propose a numerical study of the energy performance of the UNT coupled with a solar thermal collector and combined with an EAHE in order to improve the coverage rate of heating needs. The results show that the combination of the three systems satisfied all the needs with a rate of 131% for the climatic conditions of Oran, Algeria. On the other hand, the EAHE and UNT systems operating separately covered 49.3% and 41.7%, respectively. Combining three systems simultaneously saves 37.9 € (or 232.8 kWh of energy needs) and reduces by 21.1 tons of CO2 emissions during the heating period

Association of the insulinemic potential of diet and lifestyle with risk of diabetes incident in Tehranian adults: a population based cohort study

Background: We aimed to assess the associations between insulinemic potential of diet and lifestyle and the risk of diabetes incident, using four empirical indices including the empirical dietary index for hyperinsulinemia (EDIH), the empirical dietary index for insulin resistance (EDIR), empirical lifestyle index for hyperinsulinemia (ELIH), and empirical lifestyle index for insulin resistance (ELIR). Methods: A total of 3734 individuals, aged � 20 years old, who were free of diabetes at baseline (2008�2011), were followed for 6.2 years (2015�2018) to ascertain incident diabetes. The food frequency questionnaire was used to collect dietary intakes at baseline. Odds ratio (OR) of diabetes were calculated across quartiles of EDIH, EDIR, ELIH, and ELIR using logistic regression, which controlled for confounding factors. Results: The mean ± SD age and BMI of individuals (45.1 male) were 40.9 ± 12.0 years and 27.1 ± 4.1 kg/m2, respectively. At the end of follow-up, 253 (6.8 ) diabetes cases were identified. In the multivariable-adjusted model, individuals in the highest quartile of EDIR (1.58;95 CI:1.03�2.44, P for trend = 0.025), ELIH (1.89;95 CI:1.20�2.97, P for trend = 0.004), and ELIR (1.74; 95 CI:1.11�2.72, P for trend = 0.031) had increased the risk of diabetes. However, no significant associations were found between the score of EDIH and diabetes incident. Conclusions: Higher adherence to EDIR, ELIH, and ELIR scores were associated with increased risk of diabetes, while no significant association was found between EDIH score and diabetes incident. © 2021, The Author(s)

Dietary and lifestyle inflammatory scores and risk of incident diabetes: a prospective cohort among participants of Tehran lipid and glucose study

Background: Inflammation is a precursor of chronic disease, which is affected by lifestyle and dietary habits. Recently empirical dietary inflammatory patterns (EDIP), dietary inflammation scores (DIS), and lifestyle inflammation scores (LIS) were developed to indicate lifestyle and dietary contributions in systemic inflammation. The current study aimed to investigate the associations between these indices and the incidence of diabetes among Tehranian adults. Methods: A total of 4624 individuals, aged 20�75 years, who were free of diabetes at baseline (2008�2011), were followed for 5.71 years (2014�2017) to ascertain incident diabetes. Dietary intakes were collected at baseline using the food frequency questionnaire. The hazard ratio (HR) of diabetes was calculated by Cox proportional hazards regression across quartiles of EDIP, DIS, and LIS, adjusted for potential confounders. Results: The mean ± SD for the age and BMI of the study population (45.1 male) were 40.8 ± 12.7 years and 27.1 ± 4.1 Kg.m2, respectively. At the end of the follow-up, 329 (7.1) diabetes cases were identified. In the multivariable-adjusted model, individuals in the highest compared to the lowest quartile of EDIP (HR = 0.83; 95CI:0.59�1.15, p for trend = 0.286), and LIS (HR = 2.41; 95CI:1.61�3.60, P for trend < 0.001) had increased risk of diabetes. However, no significant associations were found between the score of DIS and diabetes incidents (HR = 0.83; 95CI:0.59�1.15, p for trend = 0.286). Conclusion: Greater adherence to EDIP and LIS scores was associated with a higher risk of diabetes, while no significant association was found between the DIS score and diabetes incident. © 2021, The Author(s)

Rituximab and risk of COVID-19 infection and its severity in patients with MS and NMOSD

Background: Choosing a safe disease modifying therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic is challenging. This case series study was conducted to determine the incidence rate and the course of Covid-19 infection in MS/NMOSD patients treated with Rituximab. Methods: In this study, we designed a web-based questionnaire. Baseline information such as patient- reported walking disability, total number of Rituximab infusions received, delayed injections, occurrence of any relapse, and the use of corticosteroids during the pandemic were collected. Also, information regarding the Covid-19 pandemic such as adherence to self-isolation, any recent exposure to an infected individual and the presence of suggestive symptoms were collected. In case of positive test results, patients were grouped into 2 categories; mild to moderate and seriously ill and outcomes were evaluated as favorable (improved/ discharged) and unfavorable (expired). Results: Two hundred fifty-eight patients with Multiple Sclerosis were enrolled in this study, 9 of the subjects (3.4) were confirmed positive for Covid-19, five of which required hospitalizations (55.5), two patients required ICU admission (22.2) and 2 two patients died (22.2). None of these patients ever mentioned using corticosteroids during the pandemic. In comparison to MS patients who were not receiving disease modifying therapy (DMT), our study indicated a higher incidence of Covid-19 infection, higher ratio of serious illness and a higher fatality ratio. Conclusions: Rituximab seems not to be safe enough during the pandemic. © 2021, The Author(s)

Design, construction, and characterization of a Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA) system at Isfahan MNSR

In this research, a prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) system is designed and constructed based on the use of a low power research reactor. For this purpose, despite the fact that this reactor did not include beam tubes, a thermal neutron beam line is installed inside the reactor tank. The extraction of the beam line from inside the tank made it possible to provide the neutron flux from the order of 106 n.cm-2.s-1. Also, because the beam line is installed in a tangential position to the reactor core, its gamma level has been minimized. Also, a suitable radiation shield is considered for the detector to minimize the background radiation and prevent radiation damage to the detector. Calculations and measurements are done in order to characterize this system, as well as spectrometry of several samples. The results of evaluations and experiments show that this system is suitable for performing PGNAA

Practical approach to knowledge management implementation in historic buildings restoration

The aim of this investigation is to establish an applicable model for knowledge management implementation that works suitably in organizations involved in projects defined for a historic building such as restoration. Based on a peer review on general approaches in literature, some main improvement potentials are recognized to enable the model to meet with the especial objectives, which shall be considered in such projects. Content analysis was applied to ascertain the new presented model capabilities and improvement in each of three main core components of knowledge management implementation model including peoples, processes, and technologies. We came up with a new conceptual model named as Finger Frame Model with four individual tiers connected with an intelligent communication medium. It is concluded that three main components of KM block diagrams consist of knowledge identification, acquisition, and prevention are appropriately covered in basic tier. The other three components of inner cycle of KM basic diagram consist of using, development, and distribution are also covered in an interface between operators and basic tiers, which together with make lower frame of new presented model. The model is in a continuous improving stage considering self-monitoring processes in an individual tier with the same name, which is located in the upper frame. An upper layer named as goal tier is also located in top frame in which, the main quantitative goals of KM implementation in the project organization are considered. The conceptual diagrams as well as internal processes of each main tier are also presented and discussed. Based on the overall explanations, some main benefits and risks are highlighted for new presented model and outlooks are debated. The model is applied in a real case study and the results are compared with the previous knowledge management implementation model. The results show that the model works efficiently in projects organization related to the historic building restoration

Leachate Treatment UsingWet Air Oxidation Processes

"nBackground and Objectives: Wet air oxidation (WAO) is One of the advanced oxidation process which reduce organic matter concentration from industrial wastewater, toxic and non biodegradable substances and, solid waste leachate,etc. In this study the efficiency of wet air oxidation method in leachate treatment generating from Esfahan Composting factory was Evaluated."nMaterial and Methods: The experiment was carried out by adding 1.5 Lit of pretreated leachate sample the steel reactor with the volume of 3L. The reactor then underwent10 bar pressure at different temperature (100, 200 and 300 &deg;C) and various retention time (30, 60 and 90 min). Leachate sample in 18 stages from composting factory in Isfahan in the volume of 20 Lit was taken and the WAO method, was used for pre-treatments. Removal efficiency of COD, BOD, NH4-N, NO3 and TSS were examined."nResults: The results showed that the removal efficiency was more than 35% for COD, 38% for BOD, and 85% for TSS within one hour of reaction. The Maximum removal efficiency obtained in this study were 53.3% for NH4-N and 73.9 % forNO3-N."nConclusion: the results indicate that the reaction temperatures are the most important factors affecting degradation of organic matter. COD and BOD5 removal efficiency by WAO process increased as the time of reaction went up. In addition, BOD5/COD ratios of the effluents, which are generally regarded as an important index of biodegradability of leachate sample, were determined and improved grately as it reached to 84%. TheWAO process presented in this paper is considered an efficient process for pretreatment of leachate, as the COD, BOD5 and NO3 reduction observed in leachate samples

Assessment of the Desertification Intensity Based on soil, Vegetation, and Wind Erosion Criteria in the Northwest of Yazd

Desertification is one of the most serious ecological environmental problems in the arid regions. Quantitative assessment of the desertification process is important for the prevention and control of desertification. In this research, the IMDPA model was used to evaluate the quantitative and qualitative desertification situation in the northwest of Yazd. Three criteria of soil, vegetation, and wind erosion were considered in this model. Several indicators were defined for each criterion with a weight of 0 (low) to 4 (very severe). The geometric mean of all three criteria was used to prepare a map of sensitive areas to desertification in ArcGIS. The results indicated that more than 92% of the research area was in the extreme class of desertification, and only the dunes work unit was in a very intense class. Finally, the whole of the research area with a final score of 3.04 was placed in the extreme class of desertification intensity. Also, the soil criterion with the highest weight score of 3.26 has had the greatest impact on the desertification of the northwest region of Yazd. Therefore, it is necessary to implement remedial and revitalization operations in this region according to the expansion of the phenomenon of desertification and the high influence of the soil criteria. The results of the research showed the intensity of desertification, the potential, and the sensitivity of the region to the phenomenon of desertification can be referred to as a departure from the natural functioning of the system