Preparation of nanodiamonds from carbon nanoparticles at atmospheric pressure.

A route for producing diamond nanocrystals is reported in this paper. Li2CO3 containing carbon nanostructures synthesised in molten LiCl were transformed to nanodiamonds by simple heating at atmospheric pressure, far less severe conditions than conventional processes. The method presented offers the possibility of bulk production.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the Royal Society of Chemistry via http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C5CC00233

Effects of Real Surface Roughness on Fluid Flow in Nanochannels

ABSTRACT In the present study, a computer program based on a molecular dynamics scheme has been developed for simulating fluid flow in nano-and micro-channels with roughness. According to the previous studies of nanochannels flows, surface roughness has a great effect on the rheology of the flow. Therefore a more realistic surface roughness has been developed and its influence on the fluid flow has been investigated using Molecular Dynamics (MD) Simulation

Care Seeking Patterns of STIs-Associated Symptoms in Iran: Findings of a Population-Based Survey

Background: Understanding the prevalence of symptoms associated with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and how care is sought for those symptoms are important components of STIs control and prevention. People’s preference between public and private service providers is another important part of developing a well-functioning STIs surveillance system. Methods: This cross-sectional survey was carried out in spring 2011, using a nonrandom quota sample of 1190 participants (52% female) in 4 densely-populated cities of Tehran, Kerman, Shiraz, and Babol. Two predictive logistic regression models were constructed to assess the association between the socio-demographic determinants (independent variables) and the dependent variables of history of STIs-associated symptom and seeking care. Results: Around 57% (677 out of 1190; men: 29.70% and women: 81.80%) had experienced at least one STIsassociated symptom during the previous year. History of experiencing STIs-associated symptoms among men, was negatively significantly associated with older age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=0.34, CI 95%: 0.17-0.67). Women who were married, in older ages, and had higher educations were more likely to report a recent (past year) STIs symptom, however all were statistically insignificant in both bivariate and multivariable models. Among those who have had STIs-associated symptoms in the last year, 31.15% did nothing to improve their symptoms, 8.03% attempted self-treatment by over-the-counter (OTC) medications or traditional remedies, and 60.93% sought care in health facilities. In both bivariate and multivariable analyses, care seeking among men was insignificantly associated with any of the collected demographic variables. Care seeking among women was positively significantly associated with being married (AOR=2.48, 95% CI: 1.60-3.84). Conclusion: The reported prevalence of STIs-associated symptoms among our participants is concerning. A considerable number of participants had delayed seeking care and treatment or self-medicated. People should be informed about their sexual health and the consequences of delaying or avoiding seeking care for STIs. Participants preferred seeking care at private sectors which calls for engaging both public and private health sectors for reporting and following up STIs cases

Effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Artemisia aucheri on castor oil-induced diarrhea in male rat

زمینه و هدف: اسهال یکی از مشکلات بهداشتی در سراسر جهان و یکی از شایع ترین علل مرگ در کودکان است. در این پژوهش اثر عصاره درمنه کوهی (aucheri Artemisia) بر اسهال ایجاد شده توسط روغن کرچک مطالعه شده است. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه تجربی 30 سر موش صحرایی نر به پنج گروه مساوی شامل گروه های دریافت کننده عصاره با دوزهای 50، 100 و 200 (mg/kg)، دیفنوکسیلات (mg/kg 5) و گروه شاهد یا حلال (سرم فیزیولوژی) تقسیم شدند. یک ساعت پس از خوراندن داروها یا حلال در حجم ml/kg 10، روغن کرچک به مقدار 2 میلی لیتر به هر حیوان از طریق یک کاتتر دهانی- معدی داده شد. سپس دفع حیوان جداگانه در قفس به مدت پنج ساعت مشاهده شد و کیفیت، تعداد دفعات و وزن مدفوع تعیین گردید. داده ها با استفاده از آزمون ANOVA و تست تعقیبی Tukey آنالیز شدند و 05/0P< به عنوان اختلاف معنی دار در نظر گرفته شد. یافته ها: دیفنوکسیلات و دوزهای mg/kg 100 و mg/kg 200 درمنه، درصد کاهش وزن حیوانات، تعداد دفعات دفع و وزن کل مدفوع را کاهش دادند (05/0

Effects of Fasting on Glucagon-like peptide-1 hormone (GLP-1), and Lipid Profile Indices in Obese and Thin Women

Introduction: Glucagon-like peptide-1 hormone (GLP-1) contributes to the regulation of insulin and glucose concentration. However, the effects of fasting on GLP-1 response in different people has not been determined yet. The aim of the present research was to investigate the effect of fasting on GLP-1 and the lipid profile of obese and thin women.Materials and methods: In this research, 25 obese and thin women whose age ranged from 35 to 45 years were selected through a convenient sampling method and were divided into two groups of obese (n=12, body mass index ˃30 kg/m2) and thin (n=13, body mass index=18-20 kg/m2). GLP-1 in both groups was measured in four phases: 3 days before the beginning of Ramadan, 14 days after the beginning of Ramadan, 28 days after the beginning of Ramadan and 2 weeks after the end of Ramadan. Repeated –measure ANOVA was used to statistically analyse the data. Results: GLP-1 was reduced from phase 1 to 3 of the research. However, it was increased after Ramadan. In the thin group, GLP-1 was increased in 14 days of fasting, but did not show any change at the end of Ramadan, and also two weeks after this month. However, none of these changes were statistically significant. The two groups did not diverge from each other significantly in any of the phases.Conclusion: The present findings showed that fasting has no significant effect on the GLP-1 and lipid profile indices of the obese and thin women

Limnological survey of Anzali Wetland data during 1990-2003 by use of GIS system

Anzali wetland at south west of Caspian located along of North West and southeast and with its unique feature were add on the Ramsar convention list in 1975. There were recorded a high rich of fauna and flora including 276 plant species, 23 reptiles and amphibians, 60 fishes, 26 mammals and 195 birds. Anzali wetland were encountered with numerous disorder with the eutrophication and the early dismissing. The first studies on Anzali wetland started by many international institutions in 1964. In this study the data of biotic and abiotic factors in Anzali wetland analyzed which belongs to different sites (15 to 38 stations) during 1991 to 2000 and were sampled seasonally or monthly in different years. The results showed the increasing trend of phytoplankton abundance from 7.9 to 66 million C./l. and the western part had the most abundant. The Cyanophyta had the most development than other 7 phylum observed in the area. In Anzali wetland identified 143 phytoplankton genus that 9 genus dominated in more than 80 % replicates and 7 genus had the abundance of more than 5 million cell/l. The Zooplankton abundant increased from 580 to 2200 ind./l. The Rotatoria had the most abundant followed by Copepoda. There was identified 104 zooplankton genus that 5 genus were dominated in more than 80 % replicates and 11 genus had the abundance of more than 30 ind./L. The chlorophyll a varied from 8.8 to 50.2 μg/l. and had a increasing trend after 1996, meanwhile it was measured higher than 25 μg/l in most of the stations. The results of benthic study showed that the Chironomidae and Tubificidae were observed more than other organisms which comprised 12.2 to 23.5% of total biomass of benthic organisms in studied period. The range of biomass was 1.1 to 7.8 g/m2. The ichthyologic survey showed presence of 60 species that 11 species were exotic. 28 species belong to freshwater, 17 species were anadromous and 8 species were resident in estuary. The highest and lowest fish catch were 640 and 288 ton in 1994 and 1999 respectively and it was about 500 ton at the end of period. The hydrochemical factors had the various fluctuation so that the nutrients parameters had a significant difference over studied period. Total nitrogen was varied from 0.78 to 1.41 mg/l and total phosphorus varied from 0.05 to 0.1 μg/l.. The oxygen dissolved amount was from 4.6 to 8.7. EC was between 3 to 5 ms/cm during September and October that indicated of Caspian water projection. According to geographic position of station, all biotic and abiotic data, were arranged. The data bank is used by Idrisi software to produce of necessary maps. Analysis of data showed that there must be a responsible department with a vast authority. Conservation and eutrophication prevention of Anzali wetland connect to special attention to catchment area and landuse management of the wetland. Also there is an urgent need for well-developed technologies and managements to reduce the organic pollution and its environmental impacts on the Anzali Lagoon

Monitoring of fisheries resources in artificial reefs in east of Kish Island waters

Artificial reefs are manmade materials deployed under water in order to improve environment and increase the exploitation of fishing area. Usage of artificial technic has developed due to increase of world population and need to supply of protein, aim to restoring of natural specially rehabilitation of demersal fishes. It has effected to increase the production in order sustainable exploitation. Coasts and Islands have destruction due to over harvesting from ecosystems and other activities by humans and natural, these caused many aquatic as demersal fishes has endangered in Persian Gulf and Oman Sea. The artificial reef is one way or method that can improve the environment and restore the aquatic. Iranian fisheries has established an artificial reefs area in west of Kish Island. This area has studied during one year, Data of assembled fishes and physical sampling were collected in seasonal during spring, summer, autumn and wintered. There were tow treatment for sampling as artificial reefs site and a control site. Collected data has analyzed and evaluated by SPSS and Exel. The results showed that there was significant difference between the sites and assembled fishes in artificial reefs were more than control site. Consequently the artificial reefs can be a tool and technic to improve the marine environment and increase the production of fishes, especially the demersal fishes