A survey of the water pollution with heavy metals Ni, Pb,Hg, Cr,Cd,V,As and total hydrocarbon in Bandar Shahid Rajaii, Bandar Abbas

Persian Gulf is semi-closed water with high salinity and temperature and high evaporation rate and low water exchange with Oman Sea. Operation of oil wells in the area contributes to the water pollution in this intricate ecosystem. We selected nine stations in Shahid Rajaii harbour and one out of the area where samples of water and sediments were taken for assessment of density of total hydrocarbons and heavy metals using spectrophotometric (FT-IR) and atomic absorption (AAS) methods, respectively

Management of ureteropelvic junction obstruction in horseshoe kidneys by an assortment of laparoscopic options

Introduction: We report our experience with laparoscopic management of ureteropelvic junction obstruction in horseshoe kidneys. Methods: Between February 2004 and March 2014, 15 patients with horseshoe kidneys and symptomatic ureteropelvic junction obstruction underwent laparoscopic management at our national referral centre. Depending on the anatomy and presence of obtrusive vessels or isthmus, we performed either dismembered, Scardino or Foley YV pyeloplasty, or Hellstrom vessel transposition. Patients were initially evaluated by ultrasonography, then diuretic scintiscan at 4 to 6 months, and followed by yearly clinical and sonographic exams. Results: This study included 11 male and 4 female patients between the ages of 4 to 51 year (average 17.7). The left kidney was involved in 12 patients (80). Operation time was 129 minutes (range: 90-186), and patients were discharged within 2.8 days (range: 1-6). Although 8 (53.3) patients had crossing vessels, of which 6 required transposing, the Hellstrom technique was solely used in 3 cases, of which notably 1 case failed to resolve and required laparoscopic Hynes within the next year. Eight cases underwent dismembered pyeloplasty, 2 Foley YV, 1 Scardino flap and 1 required isthmectomy and vessel suspension. At the mean follow-up of 60 (range: 18-120) months, the overall success rate was 93.3. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this represents the largest report on laparoscopic pyeloplasty for horseshoe kidneys, providing the longest follow-up. Our findings confirm prior reports supporting laparoscopy and furthermore show that despite the prevalence of crossing vessels, transposition alone is seldom sufficient. © 2015 Canadian Urological Association

The association of stone opacity in plain radiography with percutaneous nephrolithotomy outcomes and complications

Purpose: To investigate the influence of stone opacity in plain radiography on stone free rate and complications of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Materials and Methods: A number of 101 patients who underwent PCNL between July-September 2015 were prospectively included. Stone opacity was judged on preoperative plain Kidney-Ureter-Bladder X-ray. Stone free rate was evaluated two weeks after the operation by ultrasonography and KUB. Results: There were 61 patients with opaque stones and 40 patients with non-opaque stones. The age, body mass index, preoperative creatinine, history of stone surgery, and stone size was not statistically different between patients with opaque and non-opaque stones. Neither operation duration nor access numbers were statistically significant between opaque and non-opaque stones. The frequency of stone free patients in opaque stones and nonopaque stones were 55/61 (90) and 30/40 (75) respectively (P = .04) The magnitude of hemoglobin drop in opaque stones and non-opaque stones were 1.9 ± 1.2 mg/dL versus 2.9 ± 1.7 mg/dL (P = .005). Conclusion: The stone free rate is lower and the magnitude of bleeding is higher in PCNL of non-opaque stones when compared to opaque stones if rigid instruments are used for nephroscopy

The comparison between two methods of basic life support instruction: Video self-instruction versus traditional method

Introduction: Medical education is changing and evolving. Teachers need to re-evaluate their medical teaching practice to enhance student learning. The data about the ideal training method of Basic Life Support (BLS) is lacking. The goal of this study was to analyse the use and performance of video self-instruction (VSI) method in BLS, in order to develop an efficient BLS training method. Methods: Eighty-one undergraduate medical interns were enrolled in a prospective clinical study in 2011. They were divided into VSI group and traditional group. We provided the first group with a DVD containing a 20-minute training video while the second group took part in a 4-hour training class of BLS. Subjects participated in a pre-test and post-test based on 2010 American Heart Association Resuscitation guideline. Results: The average scores of VSI group and the traditional group before training were 8.85±2.42 and 8.57±2.22 respectively (p=0.592). After training, the average scores of the VSI and the traditional group were 20.24±0.83 and 18.05±1.86 respectively. VSI group achieved slightly better scores compared with the traditional group (p<0.001). Conclusions: Training through VSI achieves more satisfying results than the traditional lecture method. VSI method can be considered a useful technique in undergraduate educational programs. Developing VSI can increase significantly the access to the BLS training. © 2015, Medcom Limited. All rights reserved

Effects of density and relative time of pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus) emergence on yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum)

For create of food security is essential increasing of efficiency and more productivity strategic products such as potato. In order to investigate the effects of density and relative time of pigweed emergence on potato, a factorial field experiment was conducted during 2014 based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the Research Station of Borojen, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Iran. Treatments were combination of three different pigweed densities (5, 10 and 15 plants/m2) and relative time of pigweed emergence (4 and 8 days before potato, emerged with potato, 4 days after potato emergence). Results indicated that the effects of density and relative time of emergence of pigweed was significant on number of branches per plant, plant height, number of tubers per square meter, biological yield and tuber yield of potato. Also, the interaction of between experimental factors was significant on the biological yield and tuber yield of potato. The earlier emergence and pigweed density led to reduce number of branches per node,biological yield and tuber yield and increase plant height of potato. The presence of weeds caused reduce the size and number of potato tubers. Procedure of decreasing biological yield and tuber yield potato was different with density increasing of pigweed in various relative time of emergence treatment. The highest (39.8 t ha-1) and the least (18.4 t ha-1) tuber yield were related to density of five plants/m2 and emergence at 4 days after potato and density of 15 plants/m2 and emergence at 8 days before potato treatments, respectively

Data mining of remotely sensed datasets for ore grade estimation

Estimation of ore grade is a time and cost consuming process that requires laboratory based and exploratory information. Recognition of ore grade distribution in each alteration zone will help to decrease the risk of exploration and plan for further mining activities (Brown et al., 2000; Harris and Grunsky, 2015). Previous remotely sensed alteration mapping methods were merely focused on the spatial distribution of alteration zones (Ranjbar et al., 2011; Honarmand, 2016). However, further information like ore grade distribution and whether the explored area is an economic deposit or not remain as a question. To find out the relationships between ore grade with alteration minerals, quantitative models as a combination of geological knowledge with the mathematical analysis is suggested. The aim of this study is to develop an algorithm as a set of predictive models. The model could be used not for only broad regional exploration of ore deposits but also the estimation of ore grades in the different alteration zones by using remotely sensed datasets. The proposed remotely sensed datasets which will be used in this study include ASTER and Sentinel 2 satellite images, airborne magnetics and radiometrics. The geological setting of the studied Neotethyan Cu-porphyry deposit is the collision of the Arabian and Neotethyan plates, leading to the subduction of the Neotethyan oceanic plate under the central Iranian micro continental plate during the Paleocene to Oligocene (Maghsoudi Moud and Fathianpour, 2016). As a consequence, intensive calk-alkaline magmatic activities occurred and led to the formation of Urumieh-Dokhtar Magmatic Belt (UDMB). This belt is the host of several copper deposits (e.g. Sar Cheshmeh, Darreh Zar, Meiduk) in Iran and known as one of the main Cu-bearing belts in the world. 100-200 samples from the surface (weathered) and depth (drill hole) will be collected from the Dalli deposit within the central part of the UDMB to derive the predictive models. Approximately 30 samples from different alteration zones will be collected from the Kouh Panj area within the southeastern part of the UDMB to test the performance of the models. The study is divided into the following steps. First of all, different laboratory measurements like hyperspectral imaging, point spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and magnetometry will be applied to the samples of Dalli area. The laboratory measurements demonstrate truth information including ore grade, mineral composition, and mineral assemblages. Then, the relationships between the truth information and remotely sensed dataset will be quantified as a set of equations which make the predictive models. Afterwards, the models will be applied on the datasets to build a remotely sensed estimation of ore grade. The quantified estimates will be integrated together to create an unique map. This map illustrates the common ore grades in each alteration zone between the all datasets. The outcome will be compared to exploratory reports and approved ore reserve to evaluate the uncertainty and accuracy of the models. In the next stage, to assess the operation of the models, it will be applied to remotely sensed datasets of the Kouh Panj area to create an output ore grade map within the different alteration zones. Finally, the outcome will be compared to the analysis results of collected rocks from the Kouh Panj area to determine the uncertainty and accuracy of the model for the prediction of ore grade and alteration mapping. Since Cu porphyry systems of both Dalli and Kouh Panj areas are the same, it is expected that the created model in Dalli area is operative in Kouh Panj area with a derived estimation of uncertainty

Study of productivity potential based on diversity and frequency of benthos in Shamrood River

Shamrood river is one of the important river located in the north of Iran. In order to identify the benthic invertebrates of the river, a series of sampling were carried out during one year. The samples were collected by surber sampler (40×40 cm). In this study, the identified invertebrates were: Ephemeroptera 8 genus with the most biodiversity; Plecoptera 2 genus; Coleoptera 4 genus (larvae and pupa); Trichoptera 5 genus (larvae and pupa); Diptera 6 genus in forms of larvae and pupa with the most abundance; and also Hydracarina, Oligochaeta and Turbelaria. The frequency of different species of benthoses were the same in headwater stations and there were more genera diversity. On the other hand, in downwater stations (with lower slope substrate), the ferquency of some families and genera such as Chironomidae and Hydropschae increased but the genera diversity decreased. Based on biological index of benthic invertebrates and mean annual ferquency (26.1); the total production potential and mean total biomass were estimated 348 kg/ha and 4.15 g/m2, respectively