Selection of wastewater treatment process based on the analytical hierarchy process and fuzzy analytical hierarchy process methods

This paper presents an application of the analytical hierarchy process and fuzzy analytical hierarchy process methods for selecting the best wastewater treatment process. The analytical hierarchy process is one of the best ways for deciding among the complex criteria structure in different levels, and the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process is a synthetic extension of the classical method when the fuzziness of the decision makers are considered. After reviewing aerobic treatment processes operated in Iran's industrial estates and determining the main criteria used for treatment process evaluation, they are arranged in a hierarchy structure. Selection of the best wastewater treatment process is a multi-criteria decision making problem. Conventional methods are inadequate for dealing with the imprecise or vague nature of linguistic assessment. To overcome this difficulty, the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process is proposed for dealing with the vagueness of decision makers' judgments. The alternatives consist of extended aeration, absorption bio-oxidation, integrated fixed-film activated sludge, sequencing batch reactor, aerated lagoon. Based on the general condition of industrial estate's wastewater treatment plants, technical/administrative, economic and environmental criteria and their sub-criteria are weighted and then criteria evaluated and priorities of alternatives have been done by analytical hierarchy process and fuzzy analytical hierarchy process methods by the use of triangular fuzzy numbers. Finally, selection of the best process and ranking of these five processes are carried out by these foregoing methods, and some sensitivity analyses are conducted to show the results' sensitiveness to the changes of the weights of the evaluation criteria

[Comparison of nurses and hospitalized adolescents' perceptions about importance and observance of hospitalized adolescents decision making]

Participating in decision making is an important patient's right observance of which by nurses is an essential need of hospitalized adolescents. The aim of this study was to assess and compare nurses and hospitalized adolescents' perceptions about the importance and observance of hospitalized adolescents' decision making. It was a cross sectional study, 175 nurses and 180 hospitalized ill adolescents who had inclusion criteria were selected by convenience sampling, The data were collected using two parallel self-completed questionnaires. Data were analyzed by SPSS software and using Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. No statistically significant difference was found between nurses' and hospitalized ill adolescents' perceptions of importance and observance of hospitalized adolescents' decision making. In addition, the results showed that, from nurses' point of view, participation in care was the most important item, while adolescents believed that the presence of support person had the most importance. Both nurses and adolescents believed that the presence of support person was mostly observed. According to the findings, from perception of two groups, hospitalized adolescents' decision making is important and moderately respected. Nurses can improve quality of care by recognotion and remove shackles of observance

[Assessment of periodontopathogens and periodontal status in children under 13 years of age]

Periodontopathic bacteria such Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans [Aa], Porphyromonas gingivalis [Pg], Prevotella intermedia [Pi] are considered to play a prime etiologic role in the initiation and development of the periodontitis, and the detection of periodontal pathogens before puberty may be helpful in identifying the children who need more effective oral health programs in order to minimize the risk of periodontal disease after puberty. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of period onto pathic microorganisms and periodontal status in children under 13ages. This cross sectional study was performed on Sixty systemically healthy children. All the subjects were enrolled with parent consent. Clinical examinations consisted of Plaque index [PI], Gingival index [GI] and Bone Level. Prior to any clinical measurements plaque samples were collected from sub and supra the gingival sites of the first permanent molars or the second primary molars in the absence of them, using a sterile curette. After that a sterile swab was used to obtain the samples from the buccal mucosa and the dorsum of the tongue. The samples were cultured, after pooling, for the presence of the bacteria, using API-ZYM system prevalence of periodontal disease and related bacteria was evaluated and their correlation was tested by chi-square. Out of 60 studies children, 40% contaminated with period onto pathogen Bacteria, 38/3% of subjects were positive for the presence of Aa, 30% of case had mild to moderate gingival inflammation there is a significant relation between increasing age over 6 years and the prevalence of this bacteria. According to the results of this study, there is a high prevalence of Aa colonization in children under 13 in studied population, and this is significantly associated with the ages of the subjects

[In vitro evaluation of xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity of aqueous extracts of six medicinal plants]

Overproduction of uric acid by xanthine oxidase [XO] causes gout. XO inhibitors such as allopurinol, are the most important available anti-gout drugs. Medicinal plants are available natural sources that may be useful for the treatment of gout. In this study, the XO inhibitory activity of aqueous extracts of Phaseolus vulgaris, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Mentha longifolia, Cichorium intybus, Capparis spinosa and Trigonella foenum-graecum that their anti-gout effects have been reported in the literature, were measured. In these experiments, under controlled conditions xanthine turns into uric acid by XO. Uric acid absorbance was measured at 295 nm using a UV spectrophotometer. Adding allopurinol [as positive control] or aqueous extracts to the solution containing XO, can decrease uric acid production by inhibition of this enzyme. At first, XO inhibitory activity of allopurinol and reproducibility of the method were evaluated by conducting three experiments. After that, the XO inhibitory activity of aqueous extracts at 0.1, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 3 mg/ml were measured. The results showed an EC50= 0.38micro gram/ml for allopurinol. The obtained data showed that Mentha longifolia in compare with its control could inhibit enzyme up to 72% [p< 0.001] at 3 mg/ml. Maximum XO inhibitory activity of Phaseolus vulgaris at 3 mg/ml in compare with its control was 27% [p< 0.001]. Other extracts did not have any significant effect on XO. The results showed that part of the anti-gout effects of Mentha longifolia and Phaseolus vulgaris is due to XO inhibition

[Nurses and inpatient adolescents' perceptions on observance of privacy and its importance]

Privacy is one of basic rights of the patients. Privacy becomes important for the adolescents when they hospitalize in an unfamiliar environment. This study aimed to compare the perceptions of inpatient adolescents with nurses on the observance of privacy and its importance. In this cross-sectional study, 175 nurses and a convenience sample of 180 inpatient adolescents who had met the inclusion criteria were recruited to the study. Data was gathered using a questionnaire. Man-whitney u and kruskal-wallis statistical tests were used to analyze the data. The results showed that there was significant differences between nurses' and inpatient adolescents` perceptions on the observance of privacy and its importance [man-whitney u, P<0.001]. The most important priority regarding the privacy from nurses' point of view was "covering the unnecessary parts of the body while caring"; whilst it was "providing a pleasant decorated environment, telephone, toilet and bath in room, and hospitalization in a room with peers" from the adolescents' point of view. The most observed case about privacy from the nurses' point of view was "taking immediate action to help the teenagers if necessary"; whilst, from the adolescents view, it was "calling them with their favorite names". The mean perceptions of nurses were higher than the adolescences toward observance of privacy and its importance. The results can guide nurses to improve quality of care for this group

Diabetes mellitus and bell's palsy in Iranian population

During last decades many researchers have focused on the conditions associated with Bell's palsy including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and viral infections. This study was performed to evaluate correlation of diabetes mellitus and Bell's palsy and some relevant features not discussed in the literature in an Iranian population. The presence of diabetes mellitus was evaluated in a total number of 275 subjects [75 patients with Bell's palsy and 200 control subjects]. Diabetes mellitus was noted in 10 [13.3%] patients with Bell's palsy among which 6 case were diagnosed as new cases of diabetes. Previous history of Bell's palsy was present in 10.67% of the subjects with Bell's palsy. This study confirms the correlation of diabetes mellitus and Bell's palsy for the first time in an Iranian population. We suggest screening tests for diabetes mellitus to be a routine part in the management of patients with Bell's palsy, especially in developing countries

[Perceptions of parents and nurses on needs of hospitalized children's parents]

Due to the fact that family centered care have a crucial role in pediatric nursing, it seems compatibility of nurses' and parents' perception about parents' needs can lead to deliver higher quality care. The aim of this study was to compare parents' and nurses' perceptions about needs of hospitalized children's parents. This is a cross-sectional survey. One hundred and fifty parents and 80 nurses were selected using convenient sampling method. Data was gathered using Kristjansdottir's "parental needs of hospitalized children" questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical [Chi-squared and Mann-Whitney U tests] methods. Research findings showed that there was significant difference between both parents' and nurses' perceptions about parents' needs [P=0.012]. Both groups believed that parents' needs are met partially in hospitals. There was not meaningful difference between the parents' and nurses' perceptions concerning meeting parental needs [P = 0.666]. Based on their perceptions, understanding of parents' needs help them to meet their requirements in health care facilities. There was a significant difference between parents' and nurses' perceptions regarding parents' need [P = 0.018]. Parents and nurses recognized all of the parents' needs to be important; there were also deficits in meeting these needs. Therefore, parents' cooperation with health care team is necessary to facilitate the recovery of sick children as well as meeting parents' needs

[ survey on Ornithobilharzia turkestanicum infection rate of sheep in Shadegan]

To determine the prevalence of Ornithobilharziosis among native sheep in the Shadegan area [Khuzestan province] and its intermediate host. Cross sectional study. One thousand and three hundred sheep and 1321 conical snails. One thousand sheep faecal samples were collected and examined with different parasitological methods. In this study the Shadegan area was divided into 20 clusters. Faecal specimens were examined by clayton lane, flotation in saturated salt and zinc sulfate solution for detecting parasite eggs. Furthermore, 300 sheep mesenteries were studied in slaughterhouse. Out of 1300 studied sheep 14.1% had infection. Meanwhile, many snails were collected from these areas. These snails were identified as Lymnea gedrosiana, Physa sp. and Melanoides sp. For the first time we introduced the Shadegan as one of the main foci of Ornithobilharzia in Iran. This status is due to the satisfactory climate [humidity and fresh water] in marsh and rivers and presence of snail as a suitable intermediate host and excessive final host [sheep, goat, cattle, buffalo, donkey, boar]

In vitro protective effects of Satureja hortensis L. essential oil and ethanolic extract on lymphocytes DNA

DNA damage and oxidative stress are widely recognized as major factors in many degenerative diseases and aging. The protective properties of Satureja hortensis L. on the rat lymphocytes DNA lesions were tested. Lymphocytes were isolated from blood samples taken from healthy rats. DNA breaks and resistance to H[2]O[2]-induced damage were measured with the comet assay. Rat lymphocytes were incubated in S. hortensis ethanolic extract [SHE] [0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1 and 2.5 mg/ml], essential oil [SHEO] [0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1 and 2.5 micro l/ml], H[2]O[2] [50, 100 and 200 micro M], a combination of H[2]O[2] [200 micro M] with either SHE [1, 2.5 mg/ml] or SHEO [1, 2.5 micro l/ml] at 4°C for 30 minutes. The extent of DNA migration was measured using a single-cell microgel electrophoresis technique under alkaline conditions. Treatment of rat lymphocytes with SHE or SHEO resulted in significant reduction of H[2]O[2]-induced DNA damage compared to controls. SHE exhibited a significant [p<0.01] inhibitory effect on oxidative DNA damage at 2.5 mg/ml. SHEO [1 and 2.5 micro l/ml] also showed significant inhibitory effects [p <0.01] on H[2]O[2] induced chromosomal damage. Both the ethanolic extract and the essential oil of the plant were able to reverse the oxidative damage on rat lymphocytes induced by hydrogen peroxide

[Association between adolescent girls anxiety and parental style of control]

In order to present any level of education and care of children by nurses, there is need to be a strong and favorite interrelationship between parents and their children. Background of this relationship must be recognized in texture of family [parental control] and regard to the duty of nurses continuance of family relationship is necessary. At the same time it must be adopted policies to compatible with child mentality and help to reduce his/her anxiety. This study is a descriptive correlation research to determine association between patterns of parental style of control with adolescents anxiety, it performed in Ten schools in Tehran in this research data have been collected with two questionnaire for [student, parents] the samples was consisted 370 students [13 to 15 years] and their parents, these instrument consisted demographic characteristics [for student and parents], Physiological indicator anxiety [for parent], and Reynolds and Richmond anxiety test for students. The data were the Analyzed by [SPSS] computer software. Result show that Anxiety in the student was 33% and Anxiety 7.6% and student have been Authoritarian parents had high score of Anxiety 92%. This finding shows a significant correlation between Anxiety and parental style of control [p<0.05]. According to the finding parent style control has important role in mental health of children. School nurses can play important role in education of best style control of parenting with adolescents and decrease of Anxiety from it

[Comparison of hearing results in two different techniques on 408 patients with otosclerosis]

Otosclerosis is common disease of the ear and surgery on stapes is very fine operation. There are two techniques for surgical treatment of otosclerosis: stapedectomy [partial, Total] and stapedotomy. This is a retrospective clinical study that performed in referral center [university hospital] on four hundred and eight patients with otosclerosis treated by surgery. Surgery on 285 patients were stapedotomy and 89 were stapedectomy. Preoperative and postoperative hearing thresholds were compared. In this study hearing results after stapedectomy were better in comparison with small fenestrationstapedotomy. Skill and experience of the surgeon has a significant role in stapes surgery. As stapes surgery is a very fine operation it is recommended not to be done by unexperienced surgeon

Study on humoral immune- response in sheep experimentally infected with Ornithobilharzia turkestanicum by using ELISA test

To study the humoral immune - responses in sheep experimentally infected with O. turkestanicum and to compare two different antigens in E1ISA test: excretory / secretory and somatic . Experimental study. Sixty sheep were divided into four groups : 1] 15 sheep were infected experimentally with O. turkestanicum, 2] 20 experimentally infected sheep with Fasciola gicantica, 3] 20 experimentally infected sheep with Echinococcus granulosus 4] 5 non infected lambs -control groups. In this study total antibody response to worm extract antigens and to excretory/ secretory products [ES] were determined in 15 Ornithobilharzia turkestanicum infected sheep at monthly intervals for 12 months. The infection induced an early and relatively highly immune-response to adult worm extract . This response reached its maximum level at 4 months post infection. The response to worm extracts antigens was slighthly higher than to ES products . The response against ES antigens was started later and remained at its maximum level untile 10-12 months after infection. A remarkable level of cross- reactivity was observed when Fasciola gigantica antisera were used .A low degree of cross reactivity was found with ES antigens of O . turkestanicum.There were not any cross reactivity between anti Echinoccucos granolusos sera to both tested antigens [ES and worm extract]

Fluoride compounds and their biological effects in aluminum potroom

Respiratory system disorders occur in aluminum potroom workers despite pre-employment medical examinations. The aims of this study were to measure fluoride and its compounds in the potroom workplace atmosphere as well as workers' breathing zone air, examine the blood eozinophile cells count in the workers exposed to the fluoride compounds, and evaluate the respiratory symptoms and dysfunctions caused during the occupational exposure in potroom workers. To achieve these objectives, a study was carried out in 10 workplaces [potrooms] of Aluminum Producing Plants in Arak city located at Central Iran. Through this study, the data obtained from 160 workers [100 cases and 60 controls] were statically processed. The selected controls were matched for age, year of starting employment, smoking habit, and body mass index [BMI]. The total fluoride compounds concentration of potroom, mean concentration of workers' breathing zone air at different job positions were measured showed high concentration compared to the Threshold Limit Value-Time Weighted Average [TLV-TWA]. The incidence of respiratory symptoms, the number of blood eozinophile, and WBC counts were higher than normal range in case group. During this study, the susceptible aluminum potroom workers to occupational asthma were also identified. Through this study, it was concluded that, workers employing in the potroom in aluminum industries are at risk for respiratory disorders and a continuous workplace monitoring is needed to evaluate workers exposures

[ investigation of Duchenne muscular dystrophy deletions in Iranian families and prenatal diagnosis]

Duchenne muscular dystrophy [DMD] is one of the most common X-linked genetic disorders, commonly seen in children. It is caused by mutations in Dystrophin gene and clinically manifests with severe muscle weakness and eventually leads to death in the second or third decades of life. In the absence of an appropriate cure, prenatal diagnosis [PND] appears to be the best approach to reduce the burden of the disease on the individual family and ultimately on the society. During the last five years, prenatal diagnosis was offered on request to 85 families, having one or more affected male children. Initially, the deletions in the DMD gene were identified by Multiplex PCR, screening for 20 exons. Then, three intragenic RFLPs [PERT 87-15lBamH1, PERT87-8ITaq1, PERT 87- 151XmnI] and two main CA repeats [5'- DYS and 3' DYS microsatellite analysis] that have-been shown to be highly heterozygous in the previous studies, were used to perform carrier detection and linkage analysis. Deletions were found in 43 affected boys [50.6%]. Most of the deletions were found in exons 49 and 50. However, there were not any mutations identified in the promoter region. In 42 families these three intragenic RFLPs were utilized and in 26 of them one or more RFLPs were informative [61.9%]. In 30 families two microsatellite repeat analysis were done to identify the mutant alleles and in 12 families, 5'-Dys was informative. Prenatal diagnosis was performed in 25 families [16 CVS cases and 9 amnion cases]. The cases were 14 male fetuses [5 cases affected, 9 cases not affected] and 11 female fetuses [4 cases were carriers and the remaining cases were normal]. Therefore, it is concluded that multiplex PCR technology and linkage analysis, can be used effectively for PND and carrier detection in Iran

Perrault's syndrome: a Clinical and genetic investigation of three sisters

Perrault's syndrome [P.S] is rare. The combination of gonadal dysgenesis and hearing loss was accompanied by 46,XX karyotype in three sisters with parental consanguineous marriage Genetic investigation revealed normal female.karyotype, positive Barr and negative fluorescence [F] bodies, which was confirmed by molecular study on the basis of fluorescence in situ hybridization [FISH], with application of Xcen probe, showing the presence of two signals in 95% of the cell of these 3 Iranian sisters. The pedigree showed parental consanguinity [first cousin] with an autosomal mode of inheritance for both Perrault's syndrome and hearing loss. These findings together with normal thyroid function, serum prolactin, high level of serum gonadotropins is similar to the menopausal period in all 3 sisters. Estrogen and progesterone were recommended for all 3 sisters. This combined therapy led to mensturation and after a few months their breasts were normally developed. For further management cochlear implantation, speech therapy and training courses were suggested in order to improve hearing and intellectual abilities

Reconsideration of the cat eye syndrome: reciprocal translocation T [11,22] leading to partial trisomy of 11q and 22

We are reporting a case of 47 chromosome complement with an extra rearranged chromosome 22pter to 22q11 :: 11q23 to 11qter in a child with multiple malformations whose mother has a balanced reciprocal translocation t [11,22] with a history of two previous abortions. We emphasize the importance of family study in such cases