Uranium separation from wastewater by electrodialysis

Uranium is a toxic and radioactive heavy metal found in nuclear effluents and should be treated by considering economic and environmental aspects. In this study, uranium separation from synthetic effluents by electrodialysis was investigated. Taguchi method was used to plan a minimum number of experiments. An orthogonal L[9] array [three factors in three levels] was employed to evaluate the effects of flow rate [5, 15 and 30 mL/min], voltage [10, 20 and 30 V] and feed concentration [200, 500 and 1000 mg/L] on performance of uranium separation. ANOVA method was applied to evaluate the relative effect of each factor. Results showed that increasing voltage and decreasing flow rate improves performance, and initial concentration does not affect it considerably. The effect of flow rate was more significant. Electrodeionization was applied for final treatment of dilute solutions. The effect of magnesium ions in the feed solution caused a decrease in uranium removal. The relation between current and voltage was linear. A comparison between actual and theory energy consumption showed a considerable difference due to concentration polarization. Based on the results, electrodialysis was found to be very effective for uranium removal from wastewaters

Awareness, treatment and control of hypertension, dyslipidaemia and diabetes mellitus in an Iranian population: the IHHP study

We used data from the baseline survey from the Isfahan Healthy Heart Programme to determine the prevalence of hypertension, dyslipidaemia and diabetes among a representative samples of 12 514 adults living in 3 cities in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The prevalence of hypertension, dyslipidaemia and diabetes was 17.3%, 66.3% and 5.6% respectively. Awareness, treatment and control of hypertension were 40.3%, 35.3%, and 9.1% respectively. The rates for dyslipidaemia were 14.4%, 7.1% and 6.5% respectively, and 54.6% of diabetics were aware of their disease and 46.2% were under treatment

prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among women of central parts of Iran: Isfahan healthy heart programme

Among the leading causes of mortality in women is the cardiovascular disease [CVD] and the control of CVD risk factors prevents CVD and the associated mortality. To determine the prevalence of CVD risk factors in women of central part of Iran. This descriptive cross sectional study was performed on 6391 women in three cities located in central parts of Iran [Isfahan, Najaf-Abad and Arak]. The subjects were 20 years old or above. Demographic data and blood samples for glucose and lipid measurements were collected. Determination of blood pressure for three consecutive periods and also weight and height were performed for each subject. Hypertriglyceridemia, smoking and overweight were more prevalent in urban areas while hypertension, high LDL-C and hypercholesterolemia more prevalent in rural parts. Hypercholesterolemia, high LDL-C and diabetes increased with aging. Based on our results, the prevalence of risk factors was high among the study group. More education and also recommendations on changing of women lifestyle are suggested

Trends in blood pressure level, prevalence of hypertension and its care in Isfahan

This study evaluated the trend of HTN in population of isfahan who are above 18 years. Current study measured the trend of HTN, the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure, the rate of patients awareness, treatment and control of HTN. This study consists of 4 cross sectional surveys which have been performed in 1991, 1993, 1997 and 2000. All 4 surveys measured the trend of HTN, the rate of awareness, treatment and control of HTN in patients. All studies were cross- sectional. The health supplier went to patients home and invited them to refer to HTN clinic of Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center. When data were collected,, they given to computer and analyzed using SPSS by t-test. The trend of HTN has decreased since 1999 to 2000 [31.8% in 1991 and 17.5% in 2000] but this trend hasn't significantly decreased in population, also the trend of HTN between sexes had no significant differences [P>0.05]. The mean systolic and diastolic BP of both male and female hypertensive patients have been significantly decreased since 1991 to 2000. Percentile patients' awareness, treatment of HTN, and control of HTN have increased from 46%, 23% and 2.8% to 50%, 33.9% and 12% since 1991 to 2000 respectively. Women controlled their hypertension better than men [16.5% in women and 6.5% in men]. Considering decreasing of HTN, and the mean systolic and diastolic BP, it is essential to design and implement proper community-based intervention for primary and secondary prevention of HTN. The decreasing trend of HTN, mean systolic and diastolic BP and the increasing trend of patients' awareness of treatment, and control of HTN, are helpful to develop this process by these mechanisms. Considering the trend of HTN among patients above 60 years it is essential to implement more effective methods to control their HTN