Integrated ultrasound-assisted magnetic solid-phase extraction for efficient determination and pre-concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from high-consumption soft drinks and non-alcoholic beers in Iran.

In the present research, an ultrasound-assisted magnetic solid-phase extraction coupled with a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry hybrid system was developed for the extraction/determination of trace amounts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in high-consumption soft drinks and non-alcoholic beers in Iran using magnetite graphene oxide adsorbent. The magnetite graphene oxide was characterized by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and vibrating-sample magnetometer techniques. The highest extraction recovery (73.05%-95.56%) and enrichment factor (90.65-106.38) were obtained at adsorbent mass: 10 mg, adsorption time: 30 min, salt addition: sodium chloride 10% w/v, desorption time: 20 min, eluent type: hexane: acetone (1:1, v/v), and desorption solvent volumes: 200 µl. Under optimum conditions, the linearity range for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons determination was 0.2-200 ng/ml with a coefficient of determination > 0.993, the limit of detection = 0.09-0.21 ng/ml, the limit of quantitation = 0.3-0.7 ng/ml, and relative standard deviation < 8.1%, respectively. Relative recoveries in spiked real samples ranged from 94.67 to 109.45% with a standard deviation < 6.05%. The proposed method is effective, sensitive, and reusable and it is promising for the analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons residues in environmental samples.

Corrigendum to "The relationship between knowledge of leadership and knowledge management practices in the food industry in Kurdistan province, Iran" [Data Brief 15 (2017) 155-159].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2017.09.031.].

Assessment of carbon monoxide concentration in indoor/outdoor air of Sarayan city, Khorasan Province of Iran.

Nowadays, air pollution by humans is considered a serious problem. One of the main sources of air pollution is carbon monoxide which is called the silent killer. With the increasing rate of population growth in Iran and subsequent acceleration of vehicle and fossil fuel usage, the mortality rate of carbon monoxide has increased. The aim of this study is assessment of the concentration of carbon monoxide in indoor and outdoor air of Sarayan city, Khorasan Province of Iran. In this descriptive-analytic study, the air condition of a residential area and outdoor environment of Sarayan city has been monitored for determining the carbon monoxide concentration during a 3-month period from January to March 2017. Overall, 25 stations with uniform distribution were located in the city. Fifty samples were taken monthly and by considering 3-month period, a total of 150 samples were gathered. The samples were taken in kitchens between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., and by considering the respiratory height of the human body, the carbon monoxide meters (TES model, Taiwan) were placed at a height of 75-150 cm. The descriptive statistics were presented after entering data into SPSS-16, and, by applying Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests in the case of α = 0.05, the data were analyzed. The average concentrations of carbon monoxide in indoor and outdoor environments were 0.84 ± 3.21 ppm and 0.27 ± 0.92 ppm, respectively. The maximum carbon monoxide concentration in February in an outdoor environment was 6 ppm (station no. 4) and the least one was 0 ppm. In March, for an indoor area, the maximum carbon monoxide concentration was 41 pm for station no. 11. The indoor-to-outdoor (I-to-O) ratio in March was higher than other months, and in January, was less than others. The study reveals that the indoor and outdoor carbon monoxide indices of Sarayan city are at acceptable levels.

Ambient particulate matter concentration levels of Ahvaz, Iran, in 2017.

Dust storm in Khuzestan region is strongly influenced by transportation and influx of large amount of particulate matter from internal sources (Hawizeh Marshes and East Ahwaz) and external sources (the Arabian Desert in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria and the Sahara Desert). Particulate matter is one of the main components of indoor and outdoor air quality that can be very dangerous for human. The principal objective of this study was the pinpoint of the source of airborne particulate matter by the NOAA HYSPLIT model in Ahvaz City, southwest of Iran. The investigation of dust storm and their origin was performed by the GFSG Meteorological Data (backward trajectories ending analysis of the NOAA HYSPLIT model) and collecting particulate samples with high-volume air samplers during the fall and winter seasons. The results showed the average ambient particulate matter concentration in the cold and warm seasons was 158 and 161 µg/m3, respectively. Moreover, the average particulate matter concentration in the cold season was significantly higher than the standard level as presented in the National Ambient Air Quality Standard. Consequently, it seems essential to develop green space, decrease particulate emission from source and make determined efforts to control dust at governmental and international scales.

Assessment of microbial quality of household water output from desalination systems by the heterotrophic plate count method.

Point-of-use household water desalination systems (HWDSs) are becoming popular in Iran because of the deterioration of drinking water. This study aimed to determine the microbial quality of output water from HWDSs in Qom, Iran by using the heterotrophic plate count (HPC) method. Samples of input and output water from 30 HWDSs were collected over a six-month period. Heterotrophic bacteria were tested using the pour plate technique. At the first sampling stage, the HPC level in 23% of samples exceeded the 500 CFU/ml threshold level. On average, for 50% of samples, the HPC level of input samples was 0-10 CFU/ml, for 42% it was 10-100 CFU/ml and for 8% it was 100-500 CFU/ml. For output samples, for 25%, the level of HPC was 0-10 CFU/ml, for 43% it was 10-100 CFU/ml, for 24% it was 100-500 CFU/ml and for 8% it exceeded 500 CFU/ml. For total coliforms the most probable number test was positive for the first and third stages of sampling (3% input samples). The comparison of the averages with national standard values shows that in some cases, the contamination of output water from HWDSs in the city of Qom has been above the standard values.

Association between cancer risk and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons' exposure in the ambient air of Ahvaz, southwest of Iran.

Nowadays, a large number of health endpoints such as disease rates, treatment costs, and death, by air pollutants, have been a serious health problem for humans. One of the most hazardous air pollutants, which is highly dangerous for human health, is polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The existence of the emission of industries' pollutants and seasonal variations are the primary agents affecting PAHs' concentration. The purposes of this study were to calculate the cancer risk and measure PAHs' exposure in the ambient air of Ahvaz, southwest of Iran, during 2017. Three distinct areas ((S1) industrial, (S2) high traffic, and (S3) residential) of Ahvaz metropolitan were selected. Omni sampler equipped with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) filters were used for active sampling of PAHs. To detect the level of PAHs, gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used. Incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) and lifetime average daily dose (LADD) were used to estimate the health risk caused by PAHs. The results showed that the residential and industrial areas had the lowest and highest level of PAHs. Moreover, the average levels of PAHs in industrial, high traffic, and residential areas were 8.44 ± 3.37, 7.11 ± 2.64, and 5.52 ± 1.63 ng m-3, respectively. Furthermore, ILCR in autumn and winter was higher than EPA standard, 0.06307 and 0.04718, respectively. In addition, ILCR in different areas was significantly higher than standard. Research findings imply that the levels of exposure to PAHs can increase ILCR and risk of health endpoint. The cancer risk attributed to PAHs should be further investigated from the perspective of the public health in metropolitans.

Data on evolutionary relationships between hearing reduction with history of disease and injuries among workers in Abadan Petroleum Refinery, Iran.

The present work examined data obtained during the analysis of Hearing Reduction (HR) of Abadan Petroleum Refinery (Abadan PR) workers of Iran with a history of disease and injuries. To this end, all workers in the refinery were chosen. In this research, the effects of history of disease and injury including trauma, electric shock, meningitis-typhoid disease and genetic illness as well as contact with lead, mercury, CO2 and alcohol consumption were evaluated (Lie, et al., 2016) [1]. After the completion of the questionnaires by workers, the coded data were fed into EXCELL. Statistical analysis of data was carried out, using SPSS 16.

The effect of education on the nursing care quality of patients who are under mechanical ventilation in ICU ward.

Nurses have the most important role among health care workers (HCWs) in each hospital (Aiken et al., 2008) [1]. Nurses education can lead to the improvement of nursing care If is implemented and designed based on nurses' needs and proper principles (Aiken et al., 2008) [1]. Nowadays, increased quality of the treatment and increase the chances of survival of patients with acute respiratory failure are very important (Teixeira et al., 2013) [2]. Nursing care plan in ICU patients is one of the important elements in nursing care, and one of the main strategies is promotion of education level. Nurses due to longtime relationship with nursing staff in 24 hours and use of multiple roles of education have excellent position in evaluating educational needs and performing clinical educator roles. The effect of education on the nursing care quality of patients who were under mechanical ventilation (UMV) in intensive care unit (ICU) ward of Razi hospital is evaluated during 2015. The present study is descriptive-analytical and semi experimental research. Research statistical population included 30 nurses. In this paper, the effects of communication with the patient, correct suctioning, compliance of aseptic techniques, the correct discharge of tube cuff, chest physiotherapy, the correct change positions, health food gavage, prevent of foot drop, oral hygiene, the eyes hygiene and protect the cornea have been studied. After completion of the questionnaires by patients, the obtained coded data were fed into EXCEL. Reliability was confirmed with coefficient Alfa 0.86 and the result of software and techniques were entered to SPSS for statistics and analysis.

The relationship between knowledge of leadership and knowledge management practices in the food industry in Kurdistan province, Iran.

The aim of this study was to identify the relationship between the knowledge of leadership and knowledge management practices. This research strategy, in terms of quantity, procedure and obtain information, is descriptive and correlational. Statistical population, consist of all employees of a food industry in Kurdistan province of Iran, who were engaged in 2016 and their total number is about 1800 people. 316 employees in the Kurdistan food industry (Kurdistan FI) were selected, using Cochran formula. Non-random method and valid questions (standard) for measurement of the data are used. Reliability and validity were confirmed. Statistical analysis of the data was carried out, using SPSS 16. The statistical analysis of collected data showed the relationship between knowledge-oriented of leadership and knowledge management activities as mediator variables. The results of the data and test hypotheses suggest that knowledge management activities play an important role in the functioning of product innovation and the results showed that the activities of Knowledge Management (knowledge transfer, storage knowledge, application of knowledge, creation of knowledge) on performance of product innovation.

Risk factors accelerating hypothyroidism in pregnant women referred to health centers in Abadan, Iran.

The present work contains data obtained during the analysis of pregnant women referred to Abadan Health Centers Organization (Abadan HCO) with confirmed acute hypothyroidism diagnosis. From among all pregnant women referred to Abadan HCO, 600 were chosen consisting of 120 pregnant women from each of the health centers in quintuple areas. In this paper, the effects of family history, occupation, death, abortion, type of diabetes, smoking, lithium consumption, allergy, radiotherapy, ovarian cysts (OC) and oral contraceptive pills (OCP) consumption have been studied (Yassaee et al., 2014) [1]. After completion of the questionnaires by the patients, the obtained coded data were fed into ECSELL software. Statistical analysis of the data was carried out using Special Package for Social Sciences version 16 (SPSS 16).

Study on attitudes of students of Islamic Azad University Tehran Medical Branch toward food safety, 2016.

BACKGROUND: Given the importance of high-quality healthy food for humans, contamination control is the most important concern for healthy staff. AIM: To determine the attitudes of students at Islamic Azad University (Tehran Medical Branch) toward food safety. METHODS: This cross-sectional and analytic-descriptive study was conducted on 326 students of Azad University of Medical Sciences in 2016. A self-made questionnaire consisting of 40 questions was used. The reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed using internal consistency method (Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.80). After collecting data, we use descriptive statistical indexes (mean and standard deviation) among demographic variables and the level of knowledge to describe and analyze the data. The participants' attitudes and operation are measured by Spearman tests, and the analytical results are given using SPSS version 20. RESULTS: According to the findings, 55.3, 30 and 14.7 percent of students had high, moderate and low attitude scores toward food safety, respectively. In addition, male and female students had equal attitudes toward food safety, and no significant relationship between sex and attitude was observed a significant difference (p>0.05), but between educational levels (p=0.008) and ages (p=0.001) of students significance was a positive correlation. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the low attitudes score of about half of the students of Islamic Azad University Tehran Medical Branch toward food safety, it can be claimed, food safety training in this community is required.

A comparative study of hospital admissions for respiratory diseases during normal and dusty days in Iran.

During the last century, most of people around the world moved from communicable to non-communicable diseases, mainly due to air pollution. Air pollutants and dust storm increase risk of morbidity, for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and increase the number of deaths. The city of Ahvaz is considered as the focal point of air pollution and dust storm in Iran. The aim of this study was to determine the number of Hospital Admission Respiratory Disease (HARD) including asthma attacks, acute bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease attributed to PM10 by a descriptive study during normal and dust event days in Ahvaz during the time period 2010-2012. The hourly PM10 data was collected from the Iranian Environmental Protection Agency and Razi hospital. The annual PM10 mean concentrations reached 282, 288 and 278 µg/m3 in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. The number of HARD attributed to PM10 was 1438, 1945 and 1393 people, respectively, and the highest number of daily admissions was attributed to the highest daily PM10 concentration in Ahvaz. The average number of daily HARD during dusty days was higher than normal days, and a significant positive correlation, between the number of hospital admissions and dusty days, was found. Dust had significant impact on HARD in Ahvaz.

Electrocoagulation process to Chemical and Biological Oxygen Demand treatment from carwash grey water in Ahvaz megacity, Iran.

In this work, we present the result of an electric coagulation process with iron and aluminum electrodes for removal of chemical and biological oxygen demand (COD and BOD) from grey water in different car washes of Ahvaz, Iran. Nowadays, one of the important dangerous that can contaminate water resources for drinking, agriculture and industrial is Car wash effluent [1,2]. In this study, initial COD and BOD concentration, pH of the solution, voltage power and reaction time was investigated. The concentration level of remaining COD and BOD in samples was measured, using DR/5000 UV-vis HACH spectrophotometer [3,4]. The effects of contact time, initial pH, electrical potential and voltage data on removal of COD and BOD were presented. Statistical analysis of the data was carried out using Special Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 16).

An evaluation of hospital admission respiratory disease attributed to sulfur dioxide ambient concentration in Ahvaz from 2011 through 2013.

There is no doubt that air pollutants have adverse impacts on human health. The main objective of this study was to evaluate hospital admission respiratory disease (HARD) attributed to sulfur dioxide levels in Ahvaz during three successive years. Data was taken from Iranian Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The AirQ2,2,3 model is used to quantify the impact of SO2 on inhabitants of Ahvaz and in terms of hospital admission respiratory diseases. This is a kind of statistical model which is based on some epidemiological indices such as relative risk, baseline incidence, and attributable proportion. Sampling was already performed for 24 h in four stations during 2011-2013. Four stations are good representative for residential, high traffic, industry, and background sites which cover the whole area of the Ahvaz city. Regarding to gravimetric scale, raw data of sulfur dioxide was processed using Excel software. Encoding, filtering, and processing were conducted to prepare input file for the Air Q2,2,3 model. After running model, outputs presented in term of hospital admissions respiratory cases. Based on our result, the highest mean and maximum of seasonal and annual levels for sulfur dioxide were observed in 2013. We concluded that obnoxious quality of fuel and some deficiencies in maintenance and operation of industries lead to worse quality of ambient air especially in 2013. Cumulative cases of HARD attributed to sulfur dioxide level at central of relative risk (RR) were estimated 24, 25, and 30 persons for 2011, 2012, and 2013, respectively. The finding of this study showed that total mean of sulfur dioxide was higher than standard concentration. We also noticed that wintertime concentrations of sulfur dioxide during three successive years were higher than of those levels in summer.

Hierarchical distance-based fuzzy approach to evaluate urban water supply systems in a semi-arid region.

Hierarchical distance-based fuzzy multi-criteria group decision making was served as a tool to evaluate the drinking water supply systems of Qom, a semi-arid city located in central part of Iran. A list of aspects consisting of 6 criteria and 35 sub-criteria were evaluated based on a linguistic term set by five decision-makers. Four water supply alternatives including "Public desalinated distribution system", "PET Bottled Drinking Water", "Private desalinated water suppliers" and "Household desalinated water units" were assessed based on criteria and sub-criteria. Data were aggregated and normalized to apply Performance Ratings of Alternatives. Also, the Performance Ratings of Alternatives were aggregated again to achieve the Aggregate Performance Ratings. The weighted distances from ideal solution and anti-ideal solution were calculated after secondary normalization. The proximity of each alternative to the ideal solution was determined as the final step. The alternatives were ranked based on the magnitude of ideal solutions. Results showed that "Public desalinated distribution system" was the most appropriate alternative to supply the drinking needs of Qom population. Also, "PET Bottled Drinking Water" was the second acceptable option. A novel classification of alternatives to satisfy the drinking water requirements was proposed which is applicable for the other cities located in semi-arid regions of Iran. The health issues were considered as independent criterion, distinct from the environmental issues. The constraints of high-tech alternatives were also considered regarding to the level of dependency on overseas.

Enhanced chromium (VI) removal using activated carbon modified by zero valent iron and silver bimetallic nanoparticles.

Recently, adsorption process has been introduced as a favorable and effective technique for the removal of metal ions from aqueous solutions. In the present study, bimetallic nanoparticles consisting of zero valent iron and silver were loaded on the activated carbon powder for the preparation of a new adsorbent (PAC-Fe(o)/Ag). The above adsorbent was characterized by using XRD, SEM and TEM techniqes. Experimental data were exploited for kinetic, equilibrium and thermodynamic evaluations related to the adsorption processes. The Cr(VI) adsorption process was found to be favorable at pH 3 and it reached equilibrium state within 60 min. The stirring rate did not have a significant effect on the adsorption efficiency. Furthermore, the monolayer adsorption capacity of Cr(VI) based on the Langmuir model was measured to be 100 mg/g. The experimental equilibrium data were fitted to the Freundlich adsorption and pseudo second-order models. According to the thermodynamic study, the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic in nature, indicating the adsorption capacity increases with increasing the temperature. The results also revealed that the synthesized composite can be potentially applied as a magnetic adsorbent to remove Cr(VI) contaminants from aqueous solutions.