---

Backgrounds & Objectives: Iron easily enters to ground water resources due to its abundance in the earth crust. Presence of iron, even at low concentrations, causes aesthetic and operational problems such as color, taste, and staining making it necessary to remove from drinking water. Most of the conventional methods to remove iron produce high quantities of sludge. This research surveys utility of new techniques such as nanofiltration to remove iron from ground water. Methods: This descriptive study conducted to investigate utility of nanofiltration on removal of dissolved iron in laboratory scale. Iron concentration and operational pressure were 0.5-2.5 mg/L and 2-10 bar, respectively. FeCl2.4H2O was used to obtain different iron solutions and iron measurement done by phenantroline method. Results: At iron concentration of 2.5 mg/L, increasing operational pressure from 2 to 10 bar increased removal efficiency from 91.84% to 92.95%. Increasing operational pressure increases flux and consequently the removal efficiency. Conclusion: Findings indicate that nanofiltration performance on iron removal from ground water is affected by operational pressure and flux. This method has high efficiency to remove iron from ground water.

---

Background & Objectives: In the nuclear industry, aerosols play an important role on emission and dispersion of pollutants. Nuclear reactors are the principal sources for pollution in fuel cycle and emit different radioisotopes into the environment. The radioactivity and size distribution of aerosols were measured using Anderson cascade Impactor (ACI) at three workstations in Tehran Research Reactor safety enclosure. Methods: Mass concentration and distribution of airborne particles in the chamber environment were determined using ACI. In order to identify radionuclides present in airborne particles of chamber fiber filters were used. Element identification and mass concentrations were performed using ICP-MS. To identify radionuclide type and determine their radioactivity in suspended particles, γ-ray spectrometry and liquid Scintillation spectrometer were used, respectively. Results: Pb212، Pb214، Be212، Be214، Tl208، Ac228 and k40 radionuclides were determined by gamma spectrometry. Maximum mass was related to fine particle of 0 to 0.4 µm. The greatest portion of alpha and beta particle were adsorbed on aerosols with the aerodynamic diameter of less than 0.4µm. Conclusion: Majority of radioactivity was related to the particles in storage and nucleation areas (fine particles). The origin of these particles may be coagulation of mode particles "nucleation" and concentration growth in the particle size of studied.

---

Background & Objectives: Phosphorus as a main nutrient for plants is responsible for eutrophication of surface water. In this research, efficiency of orthophosphate removal through chemical precipitation process using lime and Bentonite clay was investigated in west wastewater treatment plant of Ahvaz. Methods: This bench scale study was conducted on influent of secondary clarifier. The effect of pH and coagulant dose on orthophosphate removal efficiency was investigated using jar test. Results: Orthophosphate removal efficiency increases by increasing coagulant dose and pH. Comparing with bentonit, lime displayed higher efficiency in orthophosphate removal from wastewater at normal pH range. Lime reduced orthophosphate concentration to 0.404 mg/l at a dose of 80 mg/l and pH=7. Conclusion: Comparing with bentonit, lime may be used as appropriate and economic coagulant to remove orthophosphate from effluent of wastewater treatment plant, since it has high efficiency and there is also no need to modify PH to an optimum level, resulting in reduced chemical cost.

---

Background & Objectives: Different studies performed in the world and Iran reported the educational level of the mother, history of more than four pregnancies, living in rural areas, receiving no prenatal health care, and lack of access to maternal emergency services as the most important factors affecting maternal mortality rate. Few studies have determined contribution of indirect causes of maternal deaths. This study aimed to determine the contribution of indirect causes of a maternal death in Markazi province.

Methods:�This is a retrospective and descriptive-analytical study. Case report method and Root Cause Analysis (RCA), as an important method used in clinical epidemiology, were applied to describe and analyze a maternal mortality occurred in Markazi province, respectively. This approach deals with identification and solving the root causes of health problems (Sentinel Event). Data were collected by interview and inspection of written documents. Bayesian analysis and calculation of the conditional probabilities were applied using Netica 5.08 software.

Results:�Receiving no maternal prenatal care, not following the ministerial and provincial guidelines, lack of team working and coordination between medical specialists in the treatment of high-risk pregnant women in the hospital were identified as indirect causes of the maternal death. Indirect causes accounted for 43% of the maternal death.

Conclusion: Indicating cardiomyopathy as a cause of death on death certificate of the mother was incorrect. Determining the principal cause of the death, Root Cause Analysis, and eliminating the indirect causes of the death play important roles on decreasing 50% of the maternal deaths.

---

Background & Objectives: Low back pain is a major problem among industrial workers. A major part of the work-related injuries is involvement of musculoskeletal system for which about 60% is related to back pain. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of low back pain and its association with work- and personal-related factors among workers of Hamadan province industries.

Methods: For this�descriptive analytical study, 400 workers were selected by systematic random sampling method. Data were collected using NORDIC and International Physical Activity questionnaire (IPAQ) questionnaires. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistical methods and chi-square test using SPSS software.

Results: Our results showed that the average age, job tenure, and working hours per week of the subjects were, 34.85 years, 5.76 years, and 52.96 hours, respectively. 69.2, 19.2, and 11.6% of the subjects had respectively high, medium, and low physical activity levels. The prevalence of low back pain was 57.1 %. There were significant relationships between LBP and job tenure�(p=0.000), working hours per week (p=0.000), and level of physical activity (p=0.000).

Conclusion: Prevalence of LPB was high (57.1%) despite the low job tenure and low age of the workers. Decreasing working hours per week, avoiding workers to do heavy physical activities, and limiting manual handling may improve work conditions and decrease the rate of back pain and prevent the risk of low back pain in the workplace.

---

Background & Objectives: Increased fast food consumption has recently influenced community health. Therefore, understanding the reasons for fast food consumption, consumption rate, and preventing from their increasing consumption are very important. This study was conducted to survey the rate of fast food consumption among population of Ardabil city. Methods: For this analytical descriptive study, 200 healthy adults aged from 14 to 47 years were selected from different regions of Ardabil city using convenience sampling method. Data were collected by general and professional questionnaires using interview method. Validity of questionnaires was proved by specialists in the fields of health education and nutrition. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics ANOVA and Chi-square, in SPSS V.16 software. Results: The results showed that fast food consumption was significantly higher among residents of urban than rural areas (p<0.05). Significant differences were observed between type and frequency of fast food consumption and individual's occupations well as the type of consumed fast food and educational levels (p<0.05). No significant difference was found between type of consumed fast food and age of the subjects. Conclusion: The results indicated that fast food consumption is common among all occupations and the studied subjects probably due to increasing involvement and shortage in time. Type of occupation and level of education can also affect the type and frequency of fast food consumption.

---

Background and & Objectives: Chlorophenols are classified as non-biodegradable hazardous materials. Therefore, the purpose of this study was investigation of electro-Fenton and UV/TiO₂ processes efficiencies in removal of para-chlorophenol from aqueous solution.

Methods: In this experimental study a cylindrical glass equipped with 2 iron electrodes with total effective surface area of 50 cm², as a electro-Fenton reactor, and  a quartz cylindrical reactor with a volume of 190 ml equipped with 2 UVA lamps (6watt), as a photocatalysis reactor, were used to remove para-chlorophenol. The operating parameters of electro-Fenton process such as initial para-chlorophenol concentration, pH, H₂O₂ concentration and current density were investigated. Then obtained effluent was introduced to UV/TiO₂ process and operating parameters such as TiO₂ dosage and pH were examined.

Results: The results showed that para-chlorophenol removal efficiency of 65% was achieved in pH=3, H₂O₂=5 mM, current density=3 mA/cm², and reaction time of 45 min. In combination of electro-Fenton and UV/TiO₂ (pH=5.8 and TiO₂=1.5 g/L) processes the removal efficiency of 97% was attained.

Conclusion: The results revealed that combination of electro-Fenton and UV/TiO₂ processes is an efficient method to remove para-chlorophenol from aqueous solutions.

---

Background & objectives: Present study aimed to determine rate of symptoms of the musculoskeletal disorders in different body regions and ergonomic assessment of the workplace and their risk factors among faculty members and other staffs.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on all 59 teachers and employees in School of Public Health, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences. Nordic questionnaire was used to determine prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in various organs of the body. To assess workplace risk factors standard and integrated check list of office conditions was used.

Results: Within the last year the highest prevalence of skeletal disorders was observed in hip (85.7 %) and neck & shoulders (64.3%) among academic members and back (60%) and wrist & neck (44%) among other staffs. Statistically significant associations were found between the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in neck and work experience among staffs and between the back disorders and working hour per day (p<0.05) in academic members. 83.6 percent of the employees stood at the first priority for corrective actions. Poor posture and poor work station design were identified as risk factors.

Conclusion: The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders is high in hip regions of faculty members and lumbar region of other employees. Therefore, implementation of workplace ergonomics intervention seems necessary. Designing workstations according to ergonomic principles, training of teachers and employees on principles of ergonomics, job diversity, and soft exercise at certain intervals can be components of these programs.

---

Background & Objectives: Rapid sand filter backwashing water typically consists of 2-5% of the total treated water and it has high turbidity. Therefore, effluent treatment of rapid sand filter backwashing is essential. This research aimed to survey turbidity removal from filtration effluent of Tehranpars water treatment plant using Electrocoagulation (EC)/Electroflotation (EF) process.

Methods: This practical study was done in a continuous system at laboratory scale. An electrocoagulation tank with the dimensions of 24×17×18 cm and volume of 7.35 l from plexiglass was used in this work. Inside the tank 4 Al or Fe plates (15×22×0.1cm) were used as cathode and anode. Each electrode was immersed up to 16 cm in effluent of electrocoagulation tank. 126 samples with turbidities of 320, 350, and 400 NTU were taken from effluent of rapid sand filter backwashing and the removal efficiency was tested at current densities of 4.16, 5.83, 7.5, 10, 11.66, and 13.33 mA cm^-2 in detention times ranging from10 to 30 min. The space of electrodes is fixed at 1.5cm and pH at 8.2.  Data analyzed by excel software.

Results: The optimum pH of 8.2 was determined for this process. The optimum current density and detention time for both electrodes were the same and equal to 13.33 mA cm^-2 and 30 min, respectively. At optimum conditions the respective highest turbidity removal by Al and Fe electrodes were 95.13 and 4.87%.

Conclusion: Regarding the results, using electro coagulation-electro floatation processes has an appropriate efficiency in turbidity removal. One can say that aluminum electrode has higher efficiency than iron electrode to remove turbidity.

---

Background & objectives: Polyvinyl alcohol is a persistent and water-resistant compound found in effluent of many industries and can be harmful to human health. Its presence in water supplies may cause problems in the process of settlings and removing heavy metals. This study aimed to determine the efficiency of Mn₃O₄ / H₂O₂ process to remove PVA.
Methods: This laboratory-scale research done to study the effects variables influencing process of Mn₃O₄/H₂O₂ including pH, hydrogen peroxide concentration, concentration of Mn₃O₄ nanoparticle, reaction time and concentration of PVA. To determine structural characteristics of nanoparticles XRD, BET SEM, and FTIR analyzes were used. Maximum absorption of contaminant by spectrophotometer was determined at 690 nm and the concentrations of PVA were determined by calibration curve.
Results: BET analysis showed size of 19 nm for nanoparticles.  Laboratory results showed that removal efficiency for Mn₃O₄/H₂O₂ process is 67.98% at; pH=3, Mn₃O₄ concentration= 0.4 g/l, concentration of hydrogen peroxide=20 mmol/l, reaction time=120 minutes, initial concentration PVA=100 mg/l. Removal efficiency decreased by increasing initial concentration of PVA and maximum efficiency of 71% observed for Mn₃O₄/H₂O₂ processes at initial concentration of 25 mg/l. UV radiation increased the efficiency of the process to 100% after 40 minutes.
Conclusion: In accordance with the results hydrogen peroxide activated by Mn₃O₄ catalyst is a suitable option for pre-treatment of waste water containing polyvinyl alcohol.

---

Background & objectives: Hydroquinone used widely in industry. That is toxic for organisms, fish, plants, and humans. Its removal from industrial wastewater and water is a serious problem. The aim of this study was the investigation of the efficiency of photocatalytic oxidation process (UV-Fe₂O₃) in removal and on the biodegradability of hydroquinone from aqueous solutions.
Methods: Oxidation process of hydroquinone was studied by adding Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles in the form of suspension in a 2.5- liter volume glass batch reactor. The influence of variables such as the concentration of pollutants (10-50mg/l), ultraviolet light intensity (12-20w/m²), and dose of iron oxide nanoparticles (0.5-2gr/l), reaction time (5-90min), and pH (5-7-10) on the efficiency of photocatalytic oxidation process was studied.
Results: The results showed that the highest removal efficiency of 60% was yielded at pH of 7.5 the pollutant concentration of 40 g/L, contact time of 60 minutes, the nanoparticle dose of 1 g /L, and light intensity of 16 w/m². The ratios of BOD₅/COD for the absence and presence of photocatalytic oxidation in optimum condition were 0.09 and 0.56, respectively.
Conclusion: Totally the results showed that the UV/ Fe₂O₃ process could be used as an effective method for the removal of the hydroquinone from aqueous solutions and to increase its biodegradability.

---

Background & objectives: Malathion known as one of the most used organophosphates, with contact, digestive, fumigants and non-systemic properties has detrimental effects on ones nervous system. Recently use of photocatalyctic processes has grown widely because of its desirable ability to remove organic pollutants. In this study efficiency of photocatalytic process with persulfate and hydrogen peroxide for the removal of malathion was studied.
Methods: this study was carried out in laboratory scale and in batch flow reactors of steel which the low-pressure mercury vapor lamps of 55 watts was placed in it. The influence of parameters such as pH(3-9), H2O2(1-8Mm/l), perslfate dose(0.01-0.05 gr/l), and malathion (1-60 mg/l) was investigated. The malathion concentration in solution has been determined with the HPLC.
Results: the results of this study showed that the discussed process has high efficiency in compare with other done studies, so that in optimum conditions – pH=3, concentration of persulfate 0.03 gr, consumed hydrogen peroxide 3mM and initial concentration of malathion 30mg/l – this process after 30 and 60 minutes, removed respectively 99.94% of malathion and 88.31% of COD.
Conclusion: photocatalytic process with persulfate and hydrogen peroxide as one of the advanced oxidation process alternatives has a high potential in reducing pollution load of different industries, including manufacture of pesticides and can be effective as a method for wastewater treatment and reduce the environmental problems.

---

Background & objectives: Inactive lifestyle has increased by urbanization and technological progress. It is a factor in increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity.This study aimed to investigate the association between obesity and overweight with lifestyle and fitness level in students.
Methods: In this applied study, 360 students of Jahrom University (107 males aged 21.57±1.93 years and 253 females aged 20.91±1.63 years) were selected by random cluster sampling method. Height, weight and body mass index (BMI) were measured. Lifestyle and fitness level were evaluated using Berslow Life Index questionnaire and physical fitness index. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to evaluate association between study factors.
Results: The results show that the overall prevalence of overweight and obesity were 34.16% and 3.04% respectively. The relationship between BMI and lifestyle was (r = - 0.47; p = 0.02) and fitness levels (r = - 0.51; p = 0.02) in sport science student. There was aslso a negative relationship between BMI and lifestyle (r = -0.52; p = 0.01) in men students studying science. While a significant relationship was not observed between BMI and lifestyle in other faculties and both sexes.
Conclusion: The results indicate that active lifestyle and a higher fitness level is inversely related to BMI, obesity, and overweight. In addition, Obesity and overweight are less common in active people than inactive people.

---

Background & objectives: The trend of hyperlipidemia and obesity is increasing among children and adolescents. These age groups like to eat biscuits as an appropriate and energetic snack that may lead to obesity. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of diet biscuit consumption on anthropometric and metabolic indexes.
Methods: This double blind interventional study was conducted in Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center in 2008-2009.The participants were the children and adolescent aged 6-18 years. The population under study was 63 persons who allocated in two groups of 31 and 32 persons and followed for one year. First group used diet biscuits and the second group used non-diet and both group received diet therapy. Demographic data were obtained using questionnaire. Anthropometric characteristic including body mass Index, waist circumference and the waist to hip ratio was measured. Meanwhile blood sample was collected to measure fasting blood sugar and serum lipid profile. Collected data were analysed by statistical methods including t-test and ANCOVA.
Results: There was a significant difference in BMI before and after study in both groups (p=0.02). Although the biochemical variables decreased in both groups difference was not significant
Conclusion: The results of this study show that using modified biscuit has no significant effect on children’s cardiovascular risk factors. Since the effect of snack modification on improvement of children health status has been proven. Additional studies need to be performed to find the best formulation and improve the health of consumers.

---

Background & objectives: Studies show that the negative psychological effects of infertility are higher in women than in men. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of spiritual-religious psychotherapy based on Islamic teachings on the quality of life of infertile women.
Methods: The method of this quasi-experimental design was pretest-posttest with a control group. The statistical population of this study was all infertile women in Shiraz in the summer of 1396. A sample of 36 people, 18 in the experimental group and 18 in the control group, was selected through a sample of Shiraz's infertility centers. The two groups were matched in terms of the criteria for entering the research and the experimental group was subjected to spiritual-religious psychotherapy based on Islamic teachings for a total of 8 sessions in 45 minutes; while the control group did not receive any intervention. Both groups completed the quality of life questionnaire (short form 36 questions, 36-SF) before and after intervention as a pretest and post-test intervention.
Results: Data analysis was done using SPSS-16 software and covariance analysis. The effect of the spiritual-religious education program based on Islamic teachings on quality of life was significant at a level less than 0.05, which means that 0.882 of the changes in mean post-test scores relative to the variable pre-test of quality of life in The experimental group was based on the spiritual-religious education program based on the teachings of Islam.
Conclusion: The results showed that the effectiveness of spiritual-religious psychotherapy based on the teachings of Islam had an impact on the quality of life of infertile women and improved them. Therefore, this is a matter of great interest in our society, which has a special place in religion and spirituality.

---

Background & objectives: Psychological factors have a significant impact on development of disruptions as well as work-related accidents. Improving mental conditions and paying attention to these factors can increase the health of employees. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of occupational stress and mental workload on job performance of hospital personnel.
Methods: The study population was the personnel of educational hospitals in Larestan (Lar, Khonj and Ewaz), among them 289 people were selected from all occupational units based on the census method. The instruments used in this study were demographic characteristics questionnaire, OSIPOW Questionnaire, NASA-TLX and Paterson's Job Performance Questionnaire. For analyzing the data in SPSS-21 software, the Pearson correlation coefficient, Independent T-test and ANOVA were used.
Results: The average age of participants was 34.16±8.52. The results of the study showed that the average total score of mental workload and occupational stress were 63.28±18.01 and 151.45±25.96, respectively. Also, the frequency distribution of stress level and job performance in most personnel showed that they were at the normal and medium levels. There was a significant relationship between job type and income with total score of mental workloads (p<0.05). Pearson correlation coefficient showed a significant relationship between performance and job stress (p<0.05). In the study of the relationship between job stress and demographic variables, a significant relationship was found between gender variables and job stress (p<0.05). The correlation coefficient of job performance with job stress in hospital staff showed that there was a significant inverse relationship between these two variables, so that, with increasing job stress, job performance decreased.
Conclusion: The results of the research showed that the mental workload of nurses is high compared to the other occupations and when the job stress increases, the personnel performance decreases.
 

---

Background & objectives: Improper communication is the most common reason for patients to complain to doctors. Despite numerous interventions to teach communication skills to physicians, the effect of these interventions on patient satisfaction has not been studied or the increase in patient satisfaction has been slight. Given that conducting interventions based on theories and models of behavior change leads to increased effectiveness of educational interventions, in this paper the role of an educational intervention based on PRECEDE PROCEED model on increasing patients' satisfaction with each of the communication skills of medical interns is reported.
Methods: This study was conducted as a part of a larger quasi-experimental research at internal medicine ward of Shariati Hospital affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Applying a valid and reliable questionnaire, satisfaction rate of 242, 231, 223, and 254 patients with communication skills of 70 interns, was assessed and analyzed before, immediately, two weeks and four weeks after the intervention. Data were analyzed and the strongest and weakest communication skills of the interns were determined.
Results: In each of the four periods of assessment in this study, the patients' satisfaction with interns' communication skills ranged from 31 to 50 (from a whole of 70). Patients had the highest degree of satisfaction with warm, friendly, and respectful behavior of interns. Patients' least satisfaction was related to interns' skills in considering their opinions in the decision making process to diagnose and treat their medical problems.
Conclusion: In this study, patients' satisfaction with interns' communication skills was medium to high. It is recommended that in order to improve interns' communication skills and to increase patients' satisfaction, interns should be provided with constructive feedback, based on the results of the satisfaction surveys.

---

Background & objectives: The urban rail transport network is always at risk due to its special conditions. Many cases indicate the existence of threatening and risk factors for human societies in urban rail transportation systems. Therefore, in this study, with the aim of identifying and prioritizing the risks of urban rail transportation networks in order to increase resilience is on the agenda.
Methods: The research method was descriptive-analytical and applied. The statistical population of this article included Tehran metro employees at Imam Khomeini station. In this article, the sample size has been selected systematically and purposefully, which included 24 employees and managers of Imam Khomeini station in Tehran. To classify the hazards of Tehran's urban rail transportation system, first the hazards were identified and the cause and consequences were determined and then the hazards were prioritized using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method.
Results: The results of the study showed that there are 22 hazards in Tehran's urban transportation system. The results of applying AHP in prioritizing the identified hazards indicated that the risk of floods, leaks and water accumulation, earthquakes, sabotage and terrorist activities, were among the hazards with important priorities in the rail transport network of Tehran, respectively. Also, heat in electric stations, sewage system of station and the presence of unpleasant chemical gases were among the items that had the least risks in the study area.
Conclusion: The results showed that Tehran urban transportation system in the study station had potential hazards. Therefore, based on the identified risks, measures such as monitoring the behavior of tunnel and railway lines and data mining information, using firefighting equipment, completing the rapid alert system (in interaction with the Urban Crisis Organization) and developing emergency resilience instructions could be performed.
 

---

Background & objecives: The prevalence of Covid-19 disease has spread worldwide and has a high mortality rate.the present study examines the challenges and facilitators of coronavirus prevention from the perspective of environmental health experts and experts in food preparation and distribution centers in 1400. The global spread of Covid-19 with its high mortality rate necessitates an examination of the challenges and facilitators in coronavirus prevention. This study explores insights from environmental health experts and professionals in food preparation and distribution centers in 1400.
Methods: The current study was a descriptive-analytical qualitative study. Target-based data collection was saturated with 22 samples. The data collection method was a semi-structured interview with environmental health experts and technicians, using open-ended questions to achieve data saturation. The data were provided to professors and specialists through coding and re-interviewing text, then reviewed and analyzed through content analysis.
Results: Of the present study in the challenges section included economic problems, educational poverty, manpower, judiciary, and lack of resources. In the facilitators section, there were 4 main components and 45 sub-components those studies showed, with removing economic barriers, repeated training, providing necessary resources to enforce the law, and dealing with offenders being identified as effective facilitators in preventing the coronavirus.
Conclusion: Given the current challenges of Covid-19, enhancing facilitators such as ongoing education and raising community awareness, increasing surveillance, empowering health ambassadors, providing robust legal backing for enforcement, vaccinating individuals aged 12 and older, and promoting online shopping and commerce could significantly aid policymakers, health professionals, and decision-makers in the field.