Optimal electricity supply system under Iranian framework limitations to meet its emission pledge under the Paris climate agreement

As part of its Paris Agreement commitment, Iran pledged to decrease 4 percent of its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from 2020 to 2030. About 29% of total emission in Iran belongs to electricity supply while energy consumption in other sectors (transport, household, and industry) have a lower share in CO2 emission. The main concern here is finding the optimal mix of power plants in the electricity supply system that should be deployed to meet Iran’s mentioned respective targets. So, we developed a non-linear mathematical programming model for Iran’s electricity system to address this concern. Results show that a 10-20% diffusion of renewable energy and converting gas turbine power plants to gas combined cycle technology with 5% annual rate can satisfy Iran’s emissions pledge under the Paris Climate Accord. Finally, this model has been run for years between 2017-2030. Four scenarios have also been prepared based on different Iranian Five-Year Development Plans

Policy Framework for Iran to Attain 20% Share of Non-Fossil Fuel Power Plants in Iran’s Electricity Supply System by 2030

This paper presents a comprehensive model on the expansion of non-fossil technology to evaluate the impact of increasing their share in Iran’s electricity supply system. This analytical approach is based on system dynamics (SD), with an emphasis on the expansion of non-fossil fuels in the supply side of this model. Four emerging electricity generation technologies of solar photovoltaics, wind turbines, expansion turbines, and hydro power are considered in the model, and the effect of electricity price on increasing the motivation of the owners of non-fossil fuel power plants to guarantee their 20% share is examined. The Iranian government has set a target of a 20% share of non-fossil fuel electricity generation by 2030, whose main result is reducing GHG emissions to achieve the targets pledged under the Paris Climate Accord. Therefore, we developed four scenarios with different expansions of non-fossil technologies in Iran’s electricity system to investigate the goal, though various barriers exist that must be addressed through effective policies in order to facilitate the expansion of non-fossil fuel power plants in the electricity supply system. The findings demonstrate that electricity price must be determined based on the costs of non-fossil technologies, as well as based on fossil fuel prices which are low in the current energy supply system. In conclusion, the Paris Climate Accord criteria is achieved with a 20% growth of non-fossil fuels and increasing electricity price to 920 IRR/kWh in 2030

Design , Implementation & Evaluation of an Educational Program on Improving the Communication Skills with Patient based on WHO in Interns

Introduction: The effective relationship of physicians with patients has a significant role in effective treatment, reduces stress and establishes satisfaction in the patient. It was shown that many doctors fail to communicate with patients effectively. The aim of present research was designing, implementing, and evaluating the effect of training on improving the communication skills with patients in medical interns of Arak University of Medical Sciences based on the WHO pattern . Methods: This interventional research was done on 74 interns of Arak University of Medical Sciences in 2010. Communication skills of the subjects were directly observed and documented through using a checklist prepared according to basic communication skills developed by WHO. Validity and reliability of the checklist were confirmed. Then through role –playing, the subjects learned how to communicate effectively with patients. After training, their communication skills were checked again.. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and t test. Results:. The average score on communication skills before training and after it were 2.53±.47 and 3.25± .34 respectively, which showed a significant difference (P=0.00, t=10.3). The average scores on interpersonal communication skills & skill of obtaining information from & giving information to patients before and after education were 2.62± 0.47; 3.29± 0.37,2.74±0.47 & 3.24±0.3, and 2.42±0.39 & 3.24± 0.3 respectively . The average score on presenting information before and after training were 2.24±0.39 and 3.24 ± 0.3 and on educating patients 2.33 ± 0.52 3.15 ± 0.38, which indicated a significant difference between the scores before and after training(, p = 0/00).There was no significant difference between the scores of males and females(, p = 0/00). Conclusion: Interns’ scores were improved by training, significantly. It is recommended the medical curriculum be revised and some theoretical and practical courses relevant to communication skills accompanied by applying effective methods in teaching communication skills be planned for

Anomalous right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ARCAPA), and aberrant right subclavian artery in a 2-month infant with heart failure

Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ARCAPA) is a very rare congenital heart anomaly. Most of the cases are asymptomatic during infancy and childhood. We report ARCAPA associated with aberrant right subclavian artery in a 2-month male infant presenting with heart failure. We used computed tomography angiography for confirming the diagnosis and also for post-operative follow-up. © Cambridge University Press, 2013

Comparison of Serum LP-PLA2 Level and some Nutritional Factors between Well-Controlled and Poorly-Controlled Diabetic Patients

Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is produced by inflammatory cells, bound to LDL and other lipoproteins, and hydrolyzes oxidized phospholipids in LDL. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes some investigations show the association of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 mass and activity with the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in populations with high prevalences of insulin resistance and diabetes. This study is a cross-sectional descriptive and analytic study on 80 individuals with diabetes referring to the Tehran Diabetes Association. Patients divided into two groups (well-controlled and poorly controlled) based on their HbA1C. Personal information, anthropometric assessments (including height, weight, waist circumference and hip circumference) and semi-quantitative 147 items FFQ was used and vein blood samples were taken. After plasma separation, blood sample used for FBS, HbA1c and LP-PLA2 measurement. The independent sample T test was used for comparing means. Data analyses showed a significant difference between weight and WHR (waist to hip ratio) means in two studied groups, also there was a statistically significant difference in food intake (Energy, carbohydrate, protein, micronutrients percent and some of the micronutrients). FBS, HbA1C and LP-PLA2 means showed statistically significant difference (P<0/001) between two groups. This study showed LP-PLA2 is elevated in poorly-controlled patients compared to well-controlled diabetic patients, which may suggest some nutritional factors contributing to the regulation of this enzyme

The study of advanced oxidation process (UV/H2O2) performance in removal of the ceftriaxone antibiotic from aqueous solution

Background : The presence of antibiotics in water sources indicates inadequacy of conventional treatment processes for antibiotics removal. The objective of the present study is to investigate the effectiveness of the advanced oxidation process, UV/H2O2, in the removal of ceftriaxone from an aqueous solution on a laboratory scale. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was conducted on a lab scale in a reactor with a capacity of 5800 ml. Aqueous solutions containing ceftriaxone with concentrations of 9, 18, and 27 mg/l were produced. The effect of different variables including the initial concentrations of the antibiotic, pH, retention time, different lamp voltages, and H2O2 concentrations were investigated. The ceftriaxone concentrations were measured using HPLC method. Results: The results of the study showed that the UV/H2O2 method is able to remove 75% of a 9 mg/l concentration of ceftriaxone from an aqueous solution in 3 hours. The removal rates for ceftriaxone are affected by parameters such as pH, the initial concentration of ceftriaxone, the concentration of H2O2 and the intensity of UV radiations. Acidic pH (pH=3), low concentrations of ceftriaxone (9 mg/l), high H2O2 concentrations (15 mg/l) and higher radiation levels (36 Watt) resulted in higher removal rates. Conclusion: The advanced oxidation method UV/ H2O2 is able to effectively remove ceftriaxone from aqueous solutions under proper environmental conditions