COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF GROUND AND SATELLITE AEROSOL OBSERVATIONS OVER LAGOS-NIGERIA

The performance of ground and satellite measuring sensors or devices in the West Africa climate system is worrisome. These challenges had resulted in the loss of large volume of useful data on notable database e.g. Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET), Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR), Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) e.t.c. With only about 47% of data available to scientists, it is evident that accurate nowcast or forecast can no longer be guaranteed. The frequent failures of ground measuring devices over West Africa are more systemic than error due to device fabrication. The optical state over Lagos-Nigeria was investigated using the aerosol model. Fourteen years aerosol dataset from MISR and two years aerosol dataset from AERONET were used for the study. The optical state over Lagos is significant due to the massive human population. Lagos is located within the latitude of 6.465 °N and longitude of 3.406 °E. The regression analysis and Mann-Kendall (MK) test show no significant trend and considerable relationship between satellite and ground data. The standard deviations of the optical state via satellite and ground observations are 0.131 and 0.233, respectively. The average optical state predictability of the satellite and ground observation was 14.2% and 53.1%, respectively. The atmospheric constants in Lagos are: a 1 = 1.175, a 2 = 0.8227, n 1 = 0.2926, n 2 = 0.3573, and a = b = π/2

The use of nanoparticles in the formulation of essential oils

زمینه و هدف: نانوتکنولوژی توانایی کنترل ویژگی های مواد در مقیاس اتمی و مولکولی است. حوزه پزشکی مدرن و داروسازی هم تحت تأثیر این فناوری قرار گرفته است. در این زمینه بیشترین تمرکز تحقیقاتی بر درون گیری ترکیبات فعال دارویی مخصوصاً داروهای سایتوتوکسیک بوده است. اسانس ها ترکیباتی هستند که کاربردهای درمانی و بهداشتی و آرایشی دارند. آن ها مخلوط پیچیده ای از انواع مولکول های فرار آروماتیک و آلیفاتیک هستند. استفاده از اسانس ها به عنوان عوامل ضد باکتری، ضد ویروس، ضد قارچ، ضد انگل و ضد حشره سابقه‌ای به قدمت تاریخ دارد. امروزه نانوتکنولوژی در جهت رفع عیوب آن ها وارد عمل شده و به بهبود حلالیت و کاهش فراریت کمک کرده است. هدف از مطالعه حاضر بررسی کاربرد نانوتکنولوژی و نانوذرات مختلف در درون گیری اسانس ها و نقش آن ها در بهبود اثرات درمانی و پایداری آن ها می باشد. روش بررسی: در مطالعه حاضر داده ها (با استفاده از کلمات کلیدی نانوذرات شناخته‌شده شامل نانوذرات لیپیدی جامد، لیپوزوم، امولسیون، سیکلودکسترین، نانوذرات مغناطیسی) از پایگاه‌های داده های الکترونیکی شامل Pubmed، Google Scholar، Magiran، Irandoc، IranMedex و پایگاه داده‌های علمی جمع آوری شد. یافته ها: با توجه به ماهیت فیزیکی اسانس ها، دو دسته از نانوحامل ها بیشتر استفاده شده است. دسته اول حامل های لیپیدی از جمله لیپوزوم ها، نانوذرات لیپیدی جامد، نانوامولسیون ها و میکروامولسیون ها هستند. دسته دوم شامل فرمولاسیون های حاوی نانوذرات پلیمری است که سبب بهبود قابل‌ توجه فعالیت ضد میکروبی اسانس‌ها شده اند. سیکلودکسترین ها و نانوذرات مغناطیسی هم در انتها اشاره شده است. نتیجه گیری: فناوری نانو و استفاده از نانوذرات سبب افزایش پایداری شیمیایی اسانس‌ها شده است، به‌علاوه کاهش سمیت و عوارض جانبی حاصل از آن را به همراه داشته است

Environmental Impacts of Biodiesel Production Cycle from Farm to Manufactory:An Application of Sustainable Systems Engineering

One of the key challenges in using fossil fuels is the environmental impacts of these energy sources, and to reduce these destructive effects, the use of renewable energy sources (biofuels) is necessary. One of the important biofuels is biodiesel, which can be produced from cottonseed. To properly manage the chain dealing with biodiesel production from the cottonseed chain (from farm to manufactory), environmental hotspots must be pinpointed. In the present study, it was attempted to examine the environmental impacts of the biodiesel production cycle from cottonseed (agronomic stages, ginning, oiling, and biodiesel production). The data obtained in all three stages were analyzed by the Impact 2002+ method in the SimaPro software. The highest contribution to creating environmental indicators at the agricultural stage was related to the use of nitrogen fertilizers, direct emission from the farm and fossil fuels, the ginning and oiling stage involving the use of diesel fuel and sulfuric acid, and the production of biodiesel in the manufactory involving the use of methanol and electricity. The potential environmental impacts of a functional unit of 1 kg of biodiesel include: human health, 9.05–10−6 (DAYLY); ecosystem quality, 1.369 (PDF*m2*year); climate changes, (kg CO2 eq.) 17.247; and resources (MJ primary), 89.116. Results showed that agriculture has more significant participation in the environmental impact than other sections (ginning and oiling and biodiesel production), especially due to the application of fertilizers and fuel. Surveying the environmental indicators of the results showed that at the agricultural stage, the human health indicator is 10.43, 1.21, and 5.32 times higher than the ecosystem quality, climate change, and resource indicators, respectively; at the ginning and oiling stages, it is 2.35, 31.68, and 2.09 times higher, respectively; and at the stage of biodiesel production in the manufactory, it is 16.41, 1.96, and 0.99 times higher, respectively, in terms of the destructive effects. The overall results showed that the hotspot points in the present study can be largely modified by reducing the consumption of nitrogen fertilizers, using new equipment and machinery, ginning and oiling, and using fewer methanol ratios than oil.</p

Primary Adenocarcinoma of the Urethra: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract Primary adenocarcinoma of the urethra is rarely reported. We report a case of a 47-year-old male with symptoms of urinary obstruction started 2 years before diagnosis. Video-assisted urethrocystoscopy revealed a papillary mass almost obstructing the entire lumen with bleeding. Pathology report was consistent with primary adenocarcinoma of the urethra

Association of Helicobacter Pylori Infection with Endothelial Dysfunction in Metabolic Syndrome

Background: Metabolic risk factors play a critical role in metabolic syndrome (MetS), and endothelial dysfunction is important in its development. On the other hand, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has an essential role in MetS. The goal of present study was to evaluate the effect of H. pylori infection on endothelial dysfunction in MetS patients. Methods: Based on the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria, 80 MetS patients (59 females and 21 males, mean age: 48.94 ± 10.00 years) were selected. Plasma samples were assayed for H. pylori IgG using the ELISA method. Endothelial function was also evaluated by measuring plasma concentrations of endothelin-1 (ET-1), E-selectin, and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) using ELISA method. Also, NO2– and NO3– concentrations were measured by Griess method. Results: Fifty patients (62.5%) had H. pylori infection. Plasma concentrations of ET- 1, NO2–, and NO3– were significantly higher in MetS patients with positive H. pylori infection than in MetS patients with negative H. pylori infection (ET-1: 2.92 ± 2.33 vs 1.9 ± 1.4 pg/ml; P = 0.037; NO2–:19.46 ± 7.11 vs 15.46 ± 4.56 μM; P = 0.003; NO3–: 20.8 ± 10.53 vs 16.85 ± 6.03 μM, P = 0.036). However, plasma concentrations of ICAM-1 and E-selectin did not show any significant difference in the two groups. Conclusion: The results showed a relationship between H. pylori infection and endothelial dysfunction. H. pylori infection can lead to atherosclerosis by causing chronic inflammation and affecting the factors contributing to the MetS

Low Level Laser Therapy in Management of Complications after Intra Oral Surgeries

One of the basic purposes in dental treatment is providing a painless treatment for patients. This purpose may be achieved by the application of laser in dentistry. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is an internationally accepted title for biomodulation with low-level lasers which we use to achieve ideal therapeutic effects. Low-level laser therapy is a painless, reproducible, non-invasive, and without need of anesthesia treatment which is used to treat a variety of pain syndromes, injuries, wounds, fractures, neurological conditions and pathologies. Laser therapy works on the principle of inducing a biological response through energy transfer. The parameters that used in laser therapy determine the effective depth of penetration. We can mention anti-inflammatory effects, stimulation of wound healing, stimulation of immune system, increase of blood flow and activation of vasodilatation, increase of cellular metabolism and analgesic effects as advantages of the application of this type of laser. The aim of this review study was to evaluate the effect of low-level laser therapy after oral surgeries

Survey of epidemiology and bacteriology features of cholera in Iran

AbstractObjectiveTo determine epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Vibrio (V.) cholerae O1 biotype EL Tor in summer outbreak of 2008 in Iran.MethodsStool samples were collected from patients suspected to have cholera admitted to hospitals and clinics. Specimens examined by conventional bacteriological methods. All isolates were sent to cholera reference laboratory for further confirmation, stereotyping and susceptibility testing.ResultsA total of 220 patients were diagnosed as cholera. All cases confirmed by Iranian reference health laboratory. One hundred ninety nine of 220 V. cholerae serotypes were Inaba and 21 serotypes were Ogawa. All cases were reported from thirteen provinces. The majorities of cases were from Tehran, Qum and Zahedan provinces with 56, 26 and 25 cases respectively. 24(11%) of patients were under 15 years old and 196 (89%) of patients were older than 15 years.149 (68%) of patients were male and 71 (32 %) were female. 129(59%) of patients had Iranian nationality,79 (36.5%) were from Afghanistan and, 12 (5%) were from Pakistan. All isolates were resistant to co-trimoxazole, nalidixic acid, furazolidone, and intermediate to chloramphenicol and were susceptible to tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, and erythromycin.ConclusionOur study reveals that in recent outbreak caused by V. cholerae EL Tor serotype Inaba is the predominant serotype. All isolates are resistant to cotrimoxazole, nalidix acid and furazolidon

Sustainability of Underground Hydro-Technologies: From Ancient to Modern Times and toward the Future

An underground aqueduct is usually a canal built in the subsurface to transfer water from a starting point to a distant location. Systems of underground aqueducts have been applied by ancient civilizations to manage different aspects of water supply. This research reviews underground aqueducts from the prehistoric period to modern times to assess the potential of achieving sustainable development of water distribution in the sectors of agriculture and urban management, and provides valuable insights into various types of ancient underground systems and tunnels. The review illustrates how these old structures are a testament of ancient people’s ability to manage water resources using sustainable tools such as aqueducts, where the functionality works by using, besides gravity, only “natural” engineering tools like inverted siphons. The study sheds new light on human’s capability to collect and use water in the past. In addition, it critically analyzes numerous examples of ancient/historic/pre-industrial underground water supply systems that appear to have remained sustainable up until recent times. The sustainability of several underground structures is examined, correlated to their sound construction and regular maintenance. Moreover, several lessons can be learned from the analysis of ancient hydraulic works, particularly now, as many periodically hydrologic crises have occurred recently, overwhelmingly impacted by climate change and/or over-exploitation and degradation of available water resources

Sustainable and Regenerative Development of Water Mills as an Example of Agricultural Technologies for Small Farms

Nowadays, the reuse of built agricultural/industrial heritage has been a common practice worldwide. These structures represent excellent symbols of the great agricultural/industrial past. These agricultural/hydro-technologies also serve as monuments of socio-cultural identities, especially in rural areas and on small farms. One example of a successful application of agricultural technologies for small farms is the water mill. By harnessing the water energy, they were used for traditional flour and other goods production (e.g., olive oil) and works requiring energy, with the main role in the evolution of the traditional/cultural landscape. Water mills have been used to drive a mechanical process of milling, hammering, and rolling and are a portion of the agricultural, cultural, and industrial heritage. For approximately two millennia, the vertical mill water wheel prepared the initial source of mechanical power in many regions of the world. Water mills were the first device that converted natural resources of energy into mechanical energy in order to operate some form of machinery. The preservation/management of water mills is challenging due to their long-term abandonment and the lack of information/knowledge about their value. The other obstacles that are faced in their retrofitting and/or preservation are the lack of sufficient economic incentives and complex authorizations/legislations. Sustainability and regeneration of water mills through the centuries are then reviewed for history and agricultural/industrial “archaeology”. The history of water-powered mills in prehistoric and historic times, including ancient Persia/Iran, ancient China, ancient India, the Islamic world, Venetian Crete, medieval Europe, America, and finally present times, is discussed. The outcome of this review allows the understanding of the importance of conservation, optimization, and development of water mills. It will help to know more and achieve sustainable/regenerative development for small farms with respect to water and energy crises at present and in the future