Determination of arsenic and sulfur anomalies in the soils of Dasht-e-Khash, SE Iran: long-term effects of the Taftan volcano

In this research pollution of soil samples from the southern slopes of the Taftan volcano, SE Iran, and the Khash Plain to the south of the volcano is studied. The concentrations of Arsenic and Sulfur in the soil samples are 6-14 ppm and 0.03-0.51 wt.%, respectively, both more than the quality standard values of USEPA. Pollution zoning maps indicate that samples from Khash Plain to the south are, generally, more polluted in comparison with the samples from Taftan slopes to the north of the area. This phenomenon is associated with an increase in the fine-grained portion (silt-clay), and the pH of the soil samples. It is inferred from the comparison of the AS and S contents of the Khash Plain aquifer (0.005-0.1 and 72-528 mg/L, respectively) and the groundwater pollution zoning maps that water-soil ion-exchange reactions have played important role in the soil pollution processes. Some significant arsenic anomalies in the soil sample, despite the lack of the same in the groundwater, are attributed to arsenic mineralization due to Taftan hydrothermal activities. The mineralization is related to mercury-gold generation in the area which is usually accompanied by arsenic sulfide minerals realgar, AsS and orpiment, As2S3. Therefore, hydrothermal activities of the Taftan volcano produce a particular effect on arsenic and sulfur soil pollution

Analysis of Microfacies , Sedimentary Environments and Sequence Stratigraphy of Pabdeh Formation, in type section, Zagros

Type section of Pabdeh Formation (Late Paleocene- Early Oligocene) is located in the Gurpi anticline, Zagros, Khouzestan Province. Lithologically Pabdeh Formation consists of purple and white to yellowish marl, marly limestone and thin- to thick- bedded limestone, rich in pelagic foraminiferas. Pabdeh Formation conformably overlies Gurpi Formation and is conformably overlained by Asmari Formation. Petrographic studies, description and microfacies analysis specially hemipelagic, pelagic and calciturbidite facies of Paleocene to Lower Oligocene indicate that Pabdeh Formation was deposited in a deep marine basin. Field observations, facies studies and sequence studies resulted in identification of stratal key surfaces of sequence stratigraphy such as sequence boundary, maximum flooding surface, transgressive surface, system tracts and 9 depositional sequences. Sequence P1, P2 and LST, FSST of sequence P3 are of Paleocene in age, based on identification of planktonic foraminifera, TST, HST and FRWST of sequence P3 and sequences P4, P6, P7 and P8 were deposited during Eocene, and sequence P9 suggest an age of Upper Eocene- Lower Oligocene. All sequences begin with SB2 and except of sequence P3 and P4 , SB2 and Ts surfaces coincide with each other. Deepest mfs is belongs to the sequence P3; due to the remarkable abundance of glauconite minerals. Relative sea- level curves in most sequences, except for sequences P3, P8 and P9 exactly correlate with standard global sea level curves. The role of synsedimentary tectonic activities and sea-level oscilations ,probably, are responsible for deposition of sequences P3, P8 and P9

Migration patterns of undergraduate medical students in elective exchanges: a prospective online survey

Background: An international and global medical education programme can help to develop health professionals' skillsets and can be a career-defining factor during the progression from student to practising physician. Our aim is to analyse migration patterns of medical students for elective exchanges and identify intentions for continued migration. Specifically, our objectives were to determine the most popular countries and specialty types that students in the medical and health professions intend to go for elective exchanges; to assess the different factors that contribute to a student's choice to migrate for an elective; and to assess factors leading to the intent of permanent migration after completion of study at the home institution. Methods: Our research deals with experiential learning in a global health setting through analysis of the trends and patterns of medical students pursuing medical electives worldwide. We used a multilingual online questionnaire, completed by students from 15 different countries across a timeframe of 1 month (April 2018). American, European, Asian, and African universities who are part of the Global Educational Exchange in the Medical and Health professions (GEMx) sent an email with the link to the questionnaire to their medical students. The questionnaire was conducted electronically and participants, who were selected via the school's respective student databases, were asked to complete the survey after their electives had been completed. Findings: We analysed responses from 363 students from 15 countries (15 from Kenya; 116 Italy; 20 Nigeria; 16 Rwanda; 5 Ireland; 74 India; 53 Egypt; 47 Indonesia; 11 Mexico; and one response each from Israel, Germany, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Qatar, Algeria, and Canada). Country mean ages ranged between 21 years and 25 years; 224 respondents (61·7%) were women. The most popular destination country for an elective was the USA (72 students from 10 countries). The most popular specialty types were surgery (74, 20·4%) and internal medicine (56, 15·4%). Students cited expanded medical training (26 [42·6%]) an enhanced CV (18 [29·5%]), and broadened research opportunities (5 [8·2%]) as the most important motivations for choosing an elective exchange to another country. Of those who intended permanent migration (101 [27·8%]), the most frequently cited reason for this migration was the expansion of opportunities in a desired specialty (41 [40·6%]) while the main factor deterring students from permanent migration was the desire to disseminate the acquired learning to native home country health-care providers and systems (159, 60·4%). Interpretation: Students' elective experiences abroad not only significant steer the course of their careers as medical professionals, but are also crucial in creating a more holistic educational experience when combined with their home institution's curriculum. Global electives are an initiative that all schools should dedicate resources to pursuing. The elective process is vastly scalable and can be applied at medical schools in all regions of the world. Funding: None