Performance Assessment of Bio-Cathode Microbial Desalination Cell for Simultaneous Desalination and Wastewater Treatment

Under fresh water shortage conditions, polluted water treatment and brackish water desalination could be a correct defense mechanism in this situation. In the present study, Microbial Desalination Cell (MDC) performance was tested on a laboratory scale to investigate the desalination process and wastewater treatment. The experiments were designed in a three-chamber reactor using activated sludge as bio-catholyte and synthetic wastewater in four different hydraulic retention times and 35 g/l NaCl concentration in two functional mods (batch & continuous). According to the results, maximal salt removal and EC reduction rate of about were obtained in continuously fed mode, respectively. The anolyte pH in both batch and continuous modes dropped from 7 to 6.47 and 6.48 respectively. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal values in the continuous mode were 61 and 65% in the anolyte and catholyte respectively, higher than those of fed-batch MDC. Moreover, the result of examining indicated the statistical relationship between system efficiency (salt removal, COD removal, and EC reduction rate) and hydraulic retention time and also between system efficiency and hydraulic flow. On the other hand there is a significant level (Sig< 0.05) which represents direct relationship between the above parameters

Increasing convergence rate in two-objective optimization of water distribution network with engineering judgment

Background: Water distribution networks (WDNs) are facilities that require massive investment and their optimization is very important. This study aimed to optimization and development of models for promoting WDNs with using engineering judgment. In this method, instead of controlling all system states, it is possible to search the optimal set of options based on engineering judgment and hydraulic and physical status of the system. Thus, the time to solve the optimization problem is greatly reduced, which is very important in widespread networks with many components. The case study was a WDN in western Tehran. Methods: To reduce the calculation size and increase the convergence rate using engineering judgment, the parts of the network where there was no possibility of parallel piping was ignored. For other parts with a low pressure problem, parallel piping was defined. A FMGA and WaterGEMS hydraulic software were used to optimize the WDN. Cost minimization and pressure benefit maximization were the objective functions and the diameters of the pipes were considered to be the decision variables. Results: The results of optimization the network showed that, the cost decreased 89.84% and the pressure in all nodes, except one node, reached within the standard range (26-60 mH20). It included 2387 m of pipe with diameters of 100, 150, 200, 250, 350, 400 and 500 mm. Conclusion: The results of optimization and modification of the network using engineering judgment confirm that the cost decreased significantly and the pressure level in all the nodes increased to above the allowable minimum pressure. Keywords: Water, Judgment, Software, Pressure, Engineerin

Assessment of the First Presentations of Common Variable Immunodeficiency in a Large Cohort of Patients

BACKGROUND: Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID) is a primary immunodeficiency syndrome resulting in recurrent infections, autoimmunity, and granulomatous manifestations. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This retrospective study was conducted on an Iranian national registry of immunodeficient patients from 2010 to 2021. The frequency of first presentations of CVID and its association with sex, age of onset, and family history of CVID was evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 383 patients entered the study, 164 of whom were female, and the rest were male. The mean age of the patients was 25.3 ± 14.5 years. The most frequent first presentations of CVID were pneumonia (36.8%) and diarrhea (19.1%). Patient sex, age of onset, and family history did not make significant differences in first presentations of this disease. CONCLUSION: pneumonia is the most common first presentation of CVID. Family history of CVID, the age of symptom onset, and sex made no differences in the first presentations of CVID

Investigating on the Oil Emulsion Compounds Discharged from a Complex Recovered Oil Plant to Arvand River

Oil, gas and petrochemical projects are implemented to achieve the industrial development and economic benefits. The human welfare is one of the main anticipated aims for these projects. However, these projects result in vast environmental impacts. In this research, the rate of petroleum emulsion in Arvand River receiving a petroleum complex wastewater treatment effluent was investigated. Results showed that, the maximum concentrations of DO, COD and BOD were 7.2, 95.8 and 48.4 mg/L and the minimum concentrations were 1.64, 21mg/L and 4 mg/L respectively. The maximum concentration of oil and grease was 18.5 mg/L. Oil and grease content have not been observed in Arvand River during research period. It was also found the maximum concentrations of TSS, TDS and Hardness were 56, 8400 and 3762 mg/L and the minimum were 21 mg/L, 1740 mg/L and 680 mg/L respectively. The results revealed that the effluent quality from this complex does not meet the discharge standard to surface waters and the exiting treatment process is not sufficient. Therefore, a more advanced process is required and recommended

Cognitive-Existential Group Therapy for Parents of Children with Cancer

Objectives:This study used a quasi-experimental method inthe pretest-posttest to evaluate the efficacy of cognitive-existential group therapy on hopefulness in parents of children with cancer. Methods:Thirty parents (24 to 54 years old) of children with cancer were divided randomly into experimental and control groups. Both groups were assessed with Miller Hope Scale (1988), as pre-test. The experimental group received cognitive-existential group therapy in 12 sessions, each lasting 90 minutes (2 sessions per week), but no psychological intervention was applied to the control group. At the end of the intervention, both groups were reassessed through post-test. Data were analyzed by SPSS through analysis of covariance. Results: Significant differences in hopefulness between the two groups (P<0.01) were observed in favor of the experimental group. Discussion: Cognitive-existential group therapy can be effective in increasing hopefulness in parents of children with cancer

A medium invasiveness multi-level patient’s specific template for pedicle screw placement in the scoliosis surgery

Abstract Background Several methods including free-hand technique, fluoroscopic guidance, image-guided navigation, computer-assisted surgery system, robotic platform and patient’s specific templates are being used for pedicle screw placement. These methods have screw misplacements and are not always easy to be applied. Furthermore, it is necessary to expose completely a large portions of the spine in order to access fit entirely around the vertebrae. Methods In this study, a multi-level patient’s specific template with medium invasiveness was proposed for pedicle screw placement in the scoliosis surgery. It helps to solve the problems related to the soft tissues removal. After a computer tomography (CT) scan of the spine, the templates were designed based on surgical considerations. Each template was manufactured using three-dimensional printing technology under a semi-flexible post processing. The templates were placed on vertebras at four points—at the base of the superior-inferior articular processes on both left–right sides. This helps to obtain less invasive and more accurate procedure as well as true-stable and easy placement in a unique position. The accuracy of screw positions was confirmed by CT scan after screw placement. Results The result showed the correct alignment in pedicle screw placement. In addition, the template has been initially tested on a metal wire series Moulage (height 70 cm and material is PVC). The results demonstrated that it could be possible to implement it on a real patient. Conclusions The proposed template significantly reduced screw misplacements, increased stability, and decreased the sliding & the intervention invasiveness

Translation, Validity, and Reliability of the Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA-UE) in Persian Speaking Stroke Patients

Objectives: Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) is the common scale for clinical and functional evaluation of sensorimotor conditions and related Upper Extremity (UE) dysfunction after stroke. This study was done to translate and cross-culturally adjust the original upper extremity FMA (FMA-UE) into Persian and to evaluate the psychometric properties of the translated version.  Methods: A procedure of forward/backward translation based on the published guidelines was adopted and two independent bilingual translators performed the translations in each stage. The conceptual and semantic equivalence was obtained through a consensus between experts. Consecutive stroke patients (n=47, male=63%) with a mean age of 61.54±10.9 years were recruited. Content, face, and concurrent validity was calculated using the content validity index, a cognitive interview, and correlation with the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT). Internal consistency and intra-rater reliability were determined by calculating Cronbach’s alpha and the Intra-Class Correlation coefficient (ICC2.1). Results: During the forward translation and cultural adjustment, some wording changes were performed. In the forward translation, the most challenging clarifications are related to anatomical terms and positions. The total FMA-Persian score demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (α=0.86) and intra-rater reliability (ICC2.1=0.96). Joint passive motion showed the lowest reliability among all domains. The FMA motor subscales showed a floor effect, while sensation, joint passive motion, and pain domains showed ceiling effects. The correlation between the FMA-UE score and the WMFT was 0.78 (P<0.001).  Discussion: The FMA-UE translation and adjustment were performed successfully into the Persian language. The results of the current study found FMA-UE as an acceptable, reliable, and valid instrument for evaluating the upper limb function after stroke in Persian-speaking patients. However, it should be noted that floor and ceiling effects are respectively present in the domains of the motor subscales and for sensation, passive motion, and pain