The detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in indoor air of dental clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - In the indoor environment of dental clinics, dental personnel and patients are exposed to a risk of infection because of the transmission of...     

Presentation of a developed sub-epidemic model for estimation of the COVID-19 pandemic and assessment of travel-related risks in Iran

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the contagious diseases involving all the world in 2019–2020. Also, all people are concerned about the future of...     

Microwave-assisted synthesized zinc nanoparticles attenuate cisplatin-induced testicular toxicity in mice

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effects of zinc nanoparticles against cisplatin-induced testicular toxicity in mice. Zinc nanoparticles were produced by microwave-assisted synthesis using Lavandula vera extract as reducing agent. Single doses of cisplatin (7?mg/kg, intraperitoneally) and ZnSO₄ (10?mg/kg, orally), and various doses of zinc nanoparticles (10???50?mg/kg, orally) and vitamin E (100?mg/kg, interaperitoneally) were administered. The protective role of zinc nanoparticles was determined biochemically and histologically. Gradual reduction in malondialdehyde levels and elevation in glutathione levels and in the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase upon administration of zinc nanoparticles were observed. The pathology of mice treated with cisplatin/vitamin E and cisplatin/zinc nanoparticles were apparently equal, but vitamin E treatment was more effective in lowering oxidative stress markers than zinc nanoparticles. These findings suggest that co-administration of zinc nanoparticles with cisplatin could prevent adverse effects on the male reproductive system via their potential antioxidant properties.     

Carbon sequestration via afforestation as a sustainable action to mitigate climate change in Western Iran

Climate change involves increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration which is driven by anthropogenic emissions. Afforestation, which is the establishment of forests on previously non‐forested lands, could be a suitable climate change mitigation strategy. The aim of this research is to evaluate the carbon sequestration capability of the Eucalyptus and Prosopis species in the Reza‐Abad afforestation park in western Iran. For this aim, three stands of any species were selected. For quantitative assessment, a transect was implemented at the length of 100 m. In trees located of transects, the general characteristics of species were measured. Also, for estimating the amount of litter, a sample plot has been measured at the center of the quadrate. These samples were taken from the afforested area, the control area inside the afforested area and another control area outside. In each stand, species were selected randomly and one‐eighth of the whole stand was taken for calculating the percentage of carbon and aerial biomass. Then the aboveground organs were weighted and after the transfer of different plant organs to the laboratory, the conversion factor of carbon sequestration of the plant organs was determined individually by combustion method. Also, soil samples were also collected from two depths of 0–15 and 15–30 cm in each of the cultivated and control parts. The results showed that there is a significant difference between the species and Prosopis has higher carbon sequestration than Eucalyptus. The carbon sequestration among different organs showed a significant difference, carbon sequestration was 19.24 t/ha for Eucalyptus and 18.43 t/ha for Prosopis. After an economic calculation, it was concluded that afforestation has a positive effect on the reduction of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Hence, these results allow decision makers to change land use from desert area to forest, and planting the Prosopis species is more recommendable than Eucalyptus for afforestation in such areas which are economically profitable.     

Sustainable design of the household water treatment systems using a novel integrated fuzzy QFD and LINMAP approach: a case study of Iran

Environment, Development and Sustainability - There is a high possibility that pursuit of water policies goals which could have impacts on water security. Decision makers are interested in...     

Ultra-sensitive quantification of copper in food and water samples by electrochemical adsorptive stripping voltammetry

A new electrochemical adsorptive stripping voltammetry method was developed for the determination of trace amounts of copper in food and water samples. The study of electrochemical behavior of Cu ion indicated that Cu(II) and Schiff base formed a complex in H₃BO₄–NaOH buffer solution (pH?=?7.25). An accumulation potential of ?100 mV (vs Ag/AgCl) was applied while the solution was stirred for 60 s. The response curve was recorded by scanning the potential, and the peak current of ?0.31 V (vs Ag/AgCl) was recorded. The peak current and concentration of copper accorded with linear relationship in the range of 0.04–120 ng mL^?1. The relative standard deviation (for 12 ng mL^?1 of copper) was 1.73 %, and the detection limit was 0.007 ng mL^?1. The possible interference of some common ions was studied. The proposed method was applied to the determination of copper in water, rice, wheat, tea, milk, and tomato with satisfactory results.     

New Biopolymer Nanocomposite of Starch-Graft Polystyrene/Montmorillonite Clay Prepared Through Emulsion Polymerization Method

Starch-g-polystyrene (Starch-g-PS)/Montmorillonite nanocomposites were prepared via free-radical graft copolymerization of styrene and starch in the presence of montmorillonite clay, by emulsion polymerization method using potassium persulfate (KPS) as an initiator/catalyst and sodium dodecylbenzensulfonate (SDBS) as an emulsifier. The nanocomposites with different clay content 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10 weight percent of starch were prepared and the changes in layer-stacked structures of the clay particles in the resulted nanocomposite compounds were examined by using of X-ray diffraction and FT-IR spectroscopy. Finally the thermal degradation behavior and morphology of nanocomposites were studied using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and SEM, respectively.     

PAH removal using soil and sediment washing at a contaminated harbor site

In tests conducted for the Canadian government on sediment from Thunder Bay Harbour, Ontario, the BioGenesis washing process was demonstrated to be effective in remediating contaminated harbor sediments. Removal efficiencies for 16 polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in concentrations exceeding 4,000 parts per million averaged 90 to 95 percent in pilot tests. These results are significant because, until now, washing processes have not proven effective in cleaning the small-size particles of silt and clay that make up most underwater sediments. In Thunder Bay, 81 percent of the particles were less than 38 microns (medium silt) in size. The tests on Thunder Bay sediment were conducted under the auspices of the Contaminated Sediment Treatment Technology Program of Environment Canada's Wastewater Technology Centre. Thunder Bay Harbour is one of 43 “areas of concern” identified by the International Joint Commission of Great Lakes Water Quality.