Survey of parasitic contamination of sewage sludges in northern Iran

The use of sewage sludge as fertilizer in agriculture is a convenient and economic solution, but it is essential to monitor presence of parasitic contamination. This study investigated parasites in sewage sludge of wastewater treatment plant in Gorgan, Iran. This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 18 sewage sludge samples collected from wastewater treatment plant of Gorgan within 6 months with three repeatitions per month. The samples were analyzed in the laboratory of School of Public Health at Golestan University of Medical Sciences. Analysis of parasites was done using Bailenger method of counting parasites in chamber of McMaster slides with volume of 0.3 ml. The results showed that majority of parasite eggs in the sewage sludge was related to nematodes. The dominant nematode eggs detected were related to Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus and Enterobious vermicolaris. However, no parasite was found in dried sewage sludge. Considering the amount of parasite eggs in the returned sludge, it is necessary to modify the treatment process. However, it is permissible to use dried sewage sludge as agricultural fertilizer.Keywords: Parasite eggs, Protozoa, Sewage sludge, Ira

An Investigation of the Effect of the Environmental and Cognitive Factors on Translation Process

This study intended to investigate the effect of music and sport on the mind of translators and accordingly the quality of translation. To this purpose, a questionnaire was given to 25 students of translation at Jahrom University. The subjects were asked about their daily routines of music and sports. In addition, in order to evaluate the subjects’ translation competency, a translation task was given to them. The extent to which the subjects were involved in music and sports was operationalized based on the criteria advised by two experts in music and sports. Then two-way ANOVA was conducted to find whether sports and music had any impact on the translation quality. The results of the analyses showed that music and sports did not have any impact on translation quality

An Investigation of the Effect of the Environmental and Cognitive Factors on Translation Process

This study intended to investigate the effect of music and sport on the mind of translators and accordingly the quality of translation. To this purpose, a questionnaire was given to 25 students of translation at Jahrom University. The subjects were asked about their daily routines of music and sports. In addition, in order to evaluate the subjects’ translation competency, a translation task was given to them. The extent to which the subjects were involved in music and sports was operationalized based on the criteria advised by two experts in music and sports. Then two-way ANOVA was conducted to find whether sports and music had any impact on the translation quality. The results of the analyses showed that music and sports did not have any impact on translation quality

Determination of diazinon concentration by Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry in underground drinking water resources located near the rice fields, before and after the pesticide spraying

Widespread and unsupervised use of pesticides in the rice fields of northern Iran has greatly increased the concern about their presence in drinking water resources. This study aimed to determine the effect of spraying of rice fields on the concentration of diazinon in rural underground drinking water resources with depth and water table of about 120 and 30 m respectively. Sampling was performed at regular intervals, before the first and after the last spraying. Diazinon extraction was carried out by USEPA liquid�liquid extraction method and the concentration of diazinon was measured by GC / Mass Spectrometry. No diazinon was observed in any of water resources before spraying, while the average concentration of diazinon after spraying was 0.005 ± 0.007 µg/l. Also there was a significant difference in diazinon concentration between water resources after spraying rice fields. There was a reverse significant correlation between the diazinon concentration and longitudinal distance from water resources to rice farms. Moreover, there was a significant direct correlation between the diazinon concentration in post-spraying samples and water turbidity. In general, spraying rice fields can cause diazinon to enter underground water resources near farms and it can be present in water resources for at least one month after the last spraying. © 2021 Elsevier B.V

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes-CoFe2O4 nanoparticles as a reusable novel peroxymonosulfate activator for degradation of Reactive Black 5

In this study, CoFe2O4 nanoparticles supported on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), as novel peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activator, were synthesized for degradation of Reactive Black 5 (RB5). The results showed that the maximum removal efficiencies of RB5 (100), chemical oxygen demand (83.12), and total organic carbon (65.5) could happen at pH of 7, catalyst dosage of 100 mg/L, PMS dosage of 2 mM, RB5 concentration of 50 mg/L, and time of 30 min. The results of the temperature effect showed that the activation energy (Ea = 20.92 kJ/mol) for the synthesized catalyst is much lower compared to other studies. The PMS/MWCNTs-CoFe2O4 system had higher decolorization efficiency and kinetic rates compared to other adsorption and oxidation systems. Quenching experiments proved that RB5 was degraded by sulfate and hydroxyl radicals. The MWCNTs-CoFe2O4 catalyst showed suitable stability and reusability even after five consecutive catalytic reactions. The continuous treatment of RB5 in real water resources was performed using catalyst packed in a column reactor, and its results showed the high efficiency of the column in the catalytic treatment of the dye at long reaction time. Based on the proposed degradation pathway, the azo bands and the naphthalene structure of RB5 are oxidized to compounds with low molecular weight. Practitioner points: MWCNTs-CoFe2O4 was used as a novel recyclable catalyst for the activation of peroxymonosulfate and dye degradation. The rate of dye degradation and peroxymonosulfate activation by MWCNTs-CoFe2O4 was much higher than that of the catalysts alone. Radical (Formula presented.), with contribution percentage of 73.20, was the main agent for degradation of Reactive Black 5 dye. MWCNTs-CoFe2O4 in the dye degradation process showed excellent stability and reusability, lower activation energy, and easier separation. The dye degradation products were identified by gas chromatography and UV-vis spectrophotometric analyses, and their degradation pathway was suggested. © 2020 Water Environment Federatio

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on lifestyle among Iranian population: A multicenter cross-sectional study

Background: Quarantine, an unpleasant experience, was implemented in many countries to limit the spread of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which it could associated whit lifestyle changes. The present study aimed to determine the changes in Iranian's lifestyle during COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: In the present cross-sectional study, 2710 Iranian people completed an online researcher-made questionnaire asking lifestyle regarding COVID-19, which includes five sections about physical activity, stress and anxiety, nutrition habit, sleep disorders, and interpersonal relationship in addition to demographic data from January to February 2021, using the multistage cluster sampling method. Results: The participants' mean age was 33.78 ± 11.50 years and 68.3 of them were female. Traveling, sightseeing, and family visits have been eliminated from 91, 83.5, and 77.5 of participants' lives, respectively. There were increase in stress level (P < 0.001), weight of the participants (P < 0.001), sleep problems (P < 0.001), and healthier foods (P < 0.001) but decrease in interpersonal communication (P < 0.001) and the amount of physical activity (P < 0.001). Conclusion: In summary, this study indicates some changes in lifestyle of Iranian people, including changes in some eating practices, physical activity, social communication, and sleeping habits during the pandemic. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing, a comprehensive understanding of these behaviors and habits can help develop interventions to mitigate the negative lifestyle behaviors during COVID-19 pandemic. © 2022 EDP Sciences. All rights reserved