Comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of dyes adsorption by carbon-based adsorbent materials: Classification and analysis of last decade studies.

Carbon-based materials and their modifications have received significant attention over the last decades given the outstanding adsorption behavior toward various dyes from aqueous solutions. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the adsorption capability of dyes on carbon-based adsorbent materials (CBAMs) has been compiled. Further, the effects of process variables i.e., pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time, and initial concentration), adsorption kinetics, and isotherms were investigated while considering the classification of different groups of dyes and adsorbents. The Metafor package provides functions for conducting meta-analyses in R software. Electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were systematically searched based on Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) from January 1, 2009 to May 1, 2018. The following parameters were evaluated according to predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. After detailed screening and analysis, 835 articles were eligible for the review section. Among them, 87 studies met all quantitative criteria for the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model with a high heterogeneity (I2 = 99.99%). According to the evidence, basic dyes with n = 661 (∼50%) and powder activated carbon (PAC) sorbent with n = 752 (∼57%) have received the most attention among researchers. The results revealed that the mean of removal efficiency-based dyes classification was between 79.9 and 93.7% and the adsorption capacity was lied within the range of 76.8-303.6 mg/g. Meanwhile, the maximum adsorption capacity belongs to graphene families with Qm > 320 mg/g, while the minimum Qm was related to G and GAC with capacities of 108.5 and 110.7 mg/g, respectively. Pseudo-second-order kinetic model with 88.7% and Langmuir isotherm with 74% had the best fitting with the data studied. Baujat plot revealed that two studies (ID: 75 and 12) had the minimum influence on adsorption capacity with the highest dffits and cook's distance. According to the pooled data, the mean adsorption capacity varied between 140.90 and 208.25, with a mean of 174.57 mg/g across all studies. The results of Egger's test (t = 0.1332, p = 0.0844) and Begg's test (z = 0.8458, p = 0.3977) were not statistically significant, suggesting that no potential publication bias existed.

Excess mortality during heat waves, Tehran Iran: an ecological time-series study.

BACKGROUND: In the past three decades, Tehran has experienced warmer summer so we need to determine heat-related mortality to establish appropriate public health activities during hot summers. The aim of the present study was to detect heat waves during the last decades and then determine excess mortality in immediate and lagged times. METHODS: An ecological study based on time-series model was conducted in Tehran for recent decade using generalized linear lagged model (GLLM) with Poisson regression. Maximum daily temperature was heat exposure for death outcome on the same day (lag 0), 3 (lag01) and also 7 (lag02) day moving average. Relative risk with 95% confidence was reported to quantify for increasing of daily mortalities for 1°C risen exposure. Air pollutants considered as confounders in final model. RESULTS: Total excess mortality during 17 heat waves was 1069 (8.9 deaths/Heat wave days). All non-external cause of death increased significantly during heat waves (3-9%) and after adjusting for ozone and PM10, raised. Cause-specific deaths (especially circulatory disease) and death among elderly increased during heat waves (especially in the hottest wave). The largest positive lagged effect of hot temperature although seen during hottest waves for all mortalities. Three waves had the most harvest effect for all categories of mortalities. CONCLUSION: Study showed excess mortalities resulted from hot temperatures and exacerbated with air pollutants in Tehran in the context of climate change. Forward displacement mortality and lagged mortalities as well as were seen, but our results were not conclusive about the displacement pattern of mortalities.

Conducting international diploma course on malaria program planning and management (1996-2012).

BACKGROUND: Malaria is still a public health problem in the world. One of the main objectives of World Health organization is capacity building of authorities who are involved with malaria control activities. METHODS: The first course was conducted in 1996 in Bandar Abbas Training center. The course was conducted jointly by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education of Iran, WHO-EMRO and School of Public health, Tehran university of Medical Sciences. In year 2002, Iran has been designated as WHO regional Malaria Training Center. Prior to initiate the course, pre-test evaluations including 11 subjects were carried out. The examinations include multiple choice questions. Different methods of teaching including lecture, laboratory, workshop, team work, field exercise and presentation were used. The duration of the course was 9 weeks. A total of 360 contact hours were taught. The main subjects were Basic epidemiology and Simple Statistics, Malaria Parasitology, Malaria disease Management, Malaria Entomology, Vector Control, Epidemiological approach, Filed work and Planning. The requirement for achievement of the course was to have at least 60% of the total mark for awarding the diploma certificate. The 13th course was conducted by the financial support of Islamic Development Bank (IDB). RESULTS: A total of 300 participants from 26 different countries have been graduated from these courses so far. CONCLUSION: This course is providing the skill for decision making, how to combat against malaria in their country and is parallel to the policy of the malaria control for capacity building in malarious areas of the world.

Kinetic evaluation and process performance of a fixed film bioreactor removing phthalic acid and dimethyl phthalate.

Phthalate esters are toxic organic contaminants which can enter into the environment through various industrial processes. In this study, a 6-liter fixed film bioreactor was used to examine biodegradation of phthalic acid (PA) and dimethyl phthalate (DMP) in synthetic wastewater. Effect on the process of two operating factors, namely hydraulic retention time (HRT) (at four levels ranging between 6 and 48 h) and initial phthalate concentrations (at six levels ranging from 10mg to 500 mg/l), was investigated. The process was stable at all operating conditions, except for the condition with influent PA and DMP of 500 mg/l and HRT of 6h. More than 95% removal efficiency was achieved for the conditions with HRT longer than 10h. Remarkable amount of DMP (398 mg/kg of sludge) was adsorbed on the biomass due to its higher hydrophobicity compared to PA (171 mg/kg). The kinetic parameters (mu(m,)K(s), Y and K(d)) were determined and compared for both substrates, PA and DMP.