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This article concerns the recovery of cobalt from a sulfuric acid leach solution in a horizontal pulsed perforated-plate column. Firstly, the influence of initial aqueous pH and the concentration of di(2-ethylhexly) phosphoric acid + tri-butyl phosphate has been investigated. It is observed that the mixture of these extractants is able to satisfactorily extract Co(II) from sulfate solution. Moreover, the influences of operational parameters including the phase flow rates along with pulsation intensity on the holdup, drop sizes and their distribution as well as extraction and stripping efficiencies and dispersion coefficients have been evaluated. Results show the highest efficiency of 95.3% and 93.2% for extraction and stripping of Co(II) at pulsation intensity of 1.30 cm/s. Finally, new correlations for predicting mean drop size and holdup in the column are presented, which provide the average absolute relative error of 8.27% and 5.46% respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Acid attack, a worldwide phenomenon, has been increasing in recent years. In addition to severe injuries to the face and body, such violence leads to psychological and social problems that affect the survivors' quality of life. The present study provides a more in-depth understanding of this phenomenon and explores the nature and dimensions of acid attacks based on survivors' experiences.Method: A grounded theory study using semi-structured, recorded interviews and applying purposeful theoretical sampling was conducted with 12 acid attack survivors in Iran. Data were analysed using constant comparison in open, axial and selective coding stages.Results: A conceptual model was developed to explain the relationships among the main categories extracted through the grounded theory study. Physical and psychological wounds emerged as a core category. Traditional context and extreme beauty value in society acted as the context of the physical and psychological wounds experienced. Living with a drug abuser with behavioural disorders and lack of problem-solving skills in interpersonal conflict were found to be causal conditions. Action strategies to deal with this experience were found to be composed of individual, interpersonal and structural levels. Education, percentage and place of burning acted as intervening conditions that influenced survivors' strategies. Finally, adverse consequences of social deprivation and feeling helpless and hindered were found to have an important impact.Conclusions: Acid attack lead to physical and psychological wounds in survivors. This is a multi-dimensional phenomenon involving illness, disability, and victimization, and requires a wide range of strategies at different levels. The conceptual model derived through this study can serve as a good basis for intervention programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Severely food insecure households faced significant challenges before Cyclone Idai. • Following Cyclone Idai, these households prioritized housing, food and water. • Common coping strategies included re-allocating and collecting entitlements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elastic lateral-torsional buckling (LTB) is a common failure mode of large span beams. In this phenomenon the beam becomes unstable along the unbraced length. This instability of beams can be identified by out-of-plane deflection and twisting. Using discrete torsional braces is one of the ways to prevent LTB. In this paper the LTB strength and bracing stiffness requirements of monosymmetric I-beams with discrete torsional braces, under pure bending condition is investigated. First, an analytical solution for an unlimited number of braces is presented by using an energy approach. Then the results of the proposed equations are compared with the results of a 1-D finite element analysis and the equivalent continuous brace stiffness concept. The comparison shows that the proposed equations are in good agreement with the finite element analysis. A parametric study is carried out for various dimensions and geometrical properties of cross sections. The results show that using the monosymmetric I-sections with larger compression flange is the more economical solution. Finally, the effects of linear moment gradient conditions and the cross sectional distortion on the LTB strength and bracing stiffness requirement are investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The continental collision between the Arabian and Eurasian plates following the subduction of the Neo-Tethys ocean beneath Eurasia resulted in a complex deformation across the Zagros Mountains. We used more than 700S receiver functions obtained from 61 permanent stations to provide a detailed image of the lithospheric interaction between the Eurasian and Arabian plates. Our results suggest the existence of two different lithospheric blocks. A 200km thick lithosphere was observed beneath the Zagros collision zone and most likely represents the Arabian lithosphere, which has been strongly deformed, thickened and depleted. Based on our results, shortening due to the collisional process is differently accommodated by the crust and mantle lithosphere of the Zagros collision zone. We localized the thick Arabian lithosphere beneath the Zagros, Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone (SSZ) and Urumieh–Dokhtar Magmatic Assemblage (UDMA), whereas the crustal thickening (~70km) seems to be concentrated just beneath the SSZ. Furthermore, we found a thin lithosphere of about 80–90km that we interpret here as the Iranian lithosphere, beneath Central Iran and Alborz. Additionally, our results suggest the presence of remnants of the fossil Neo-Tethys subduction at depths ranging between 80 and 150km within the Arabian lithosphere. This dipping structure can be seen beneath the Zagros, SSZ and UDMA and seems to disappear towards the northeast beneath Central Iran and Alborz. These findings may support the idea of a breakoff of the oceanic Neo-Tethyan slab beneath Central Iran, which results in an asthenospheric upwelling and thinning of the Iranian lithosphere beneath Central Iran and Alborz. The boundary between the Arabian and Iranian plates seems to be located northeast of the UDMA in the northwest of Zagros and southwest of the UDMA in the Central Zagros region. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

While excessive use of electronics and the resulting e-waste is a global problem, the situation is even more acute on small islands as bounded systems and the enormous costs associated with shipping it elsewhere. Dumping e-waste on islands can cause pollution of ground and surface water and degradation of coastal and marine resources. Yet, research that supports island governments to deal with their e-waste is scarce. This paper explores the viability of a circular economy (CE) and asks whether this could be a promising solution for islands to tackle their e-waste challenge. In pursuit of this aim, the CE potential of e-waste is analyzed on five Caribbean islands: Aruba, Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. The resource quantity of e-waste generated between 2020 and 2025 is estimated, and the economic value is assessed for the embedded materials. Using sensitivity analyses, three scenarios of exploitable e-waste and their potential economic values were calculated, considering the recovery of 20%, 50%, or 100% of e-waste stocked on the islands between 2001 and 2019. Expert interviews were conducted to identify existing e-waste management practices, if any. The results reveal that more than 317.4 kt of secondary materials would be available for recovery, comprising a significant amount of base and precious metals, such as aluminum, copper, silver, gold, and palladium. The estimated economic value of these materials is estimated to be more than $546 million. However, according to the sensitivity analysis, if these islands had started the recovery of resources in early 2001, this value would almost triple to $1,430 million - equivalent to nearly 30% of the total gross domestic product (GDP) from mining and quarrying in the entire Caribbean community, from just these five islands. Due to economies of scale that limit smaller nations, regional co-operations and initiating industrial symbiosis would be essential for desirous islands to shift to a CE. CE can support resource self-sufficiency on islands and bring several social, environmental, and economic benefits. This research is the first to provide an island-specific perspective to help decision-makers manage e-waste flows by including participatory CE implementation methods. • Circular economy can be a promising solution for islands to tackle their e-waste challenge. • A significant quantity of base, rare and precious metals are available for recovery from e-waste in the Caribbean. • Achieving a circular economy would diversify the economy, create new jobs, improve human and ecosystem health. • Circular economy of e-waste can enhance resource security and self-sufficiency on islands. • Establishing regional collaborative alliances is essential for an effective e-waste management system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and insulin resistance demonstrate elements of functional impairment of the endothelium. Treatment of endothelial dysfunction with natural products, such as pomegranate, can open new ways in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.Purpose: The present meta-analysis provides information in highlighting the role of pomegranate in endothelial dysfunction.Methods: Various databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Google Scholar, were searched up to July 2020 using relevant keywords. We have selected the studies that investigated the effects of pomegranate on vascular adhesion factors, including intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), E-selectin, and interleukin-6 (IL-6). MD with 95% CrI with 100,000 iterations by using Markov chain Monte Carlo code were used.Results: Pooled effect size of articles in human studies indicated that pomegranate juice was not significantly effective on ICAM-1 [MD: -0.42; CrI: (-1.01, 0.17)], VCAM-1 [MD: -0.20; CrI: (-1.95, 1.40)], and E-selectin [MD: -0.21; CrI: (-1.62, 1.21)] compared to the control group. But it can significantly reduce IL-6 [MD: -1.07; CrI: (-1.90, -0.19)].Conclusion: Generally, present study showed that pomegranate juice has no significant effect on vascular adhesion factors, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin, but can reduce IL-6 significantly. Future prospective randomized clinical trials with longer intervention duration are warranted to obtain a precise conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An oral vaccine candidate against brucellosis for Human & farm animals. • The recombinant L. casei -OMP19 elicit mucosal and humoral immune responses. • The recombinant vaccine induced protection against Brucella abortus challenge. Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease threatening the public health and hindering the trade of animals and their products, which has a negative impact on the economic development of a country. Vaccination is the most effective way to control brucellosis. The recombinant vector vaccines are promising candidates for immunization in humans and animals. In this study, the gene encoding OMP19 antigen was primarily amplified and cloned into an expression vector called pT1NX, and then transformed to L. casei cell via electroporation technique. The expression was confirmed using specific antibody against the recombinant protein via immunological screening tests such as western blot and immunofluorescence assay. Finally, recombinant L. casei was orally fed to mice and the results were further recorded, indicating that the mice group which received OMP19 through L. casei based vaccine represented a very good general and mucosal immune responses protective against challenges with virulent B. abortus 544 strain compared with negative control recipient groups. Therefore, the vaccine produced in this research plan can be a very good candidate for protection against brucellosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To describe the mean and normal range of intraocular pressure (IOP) and its associations in healthy Iranian school children using the noncontact tonometer. In this cross-sectional study as part of the Shiraz Pediatric Eye Study, a stratified random sampling was performed among elementary school children of Shiraz, Iran. Basic demographics and socioeconomic status of households, past medical history, drug history, and eye health history were collected for each eligible student. Children underwent complete ophthalmic examination. Axial length, corneal curvature, and anterior chamber depth were measured using the IOL-Master 500. Of 2,001 eligible children, 1,901 (95.0%; 3,802 eyes) with a mean age of 9.1 ± 1.6 years (standard deviation; range, 6-12 years) had reliable IOP. The mean spherical equivalent refraction was 0.5 ± 1.3 D for the right eye and 0.6 ± 1.2 D for the left eye. Mean IOP in the right eye was 15.1 ± 2.5 mm Hg (median, 15.0; range, 8.0–27.0 mm Hg); in the left eye, 15.2 ± 2.5 mm Hg (median, 15.0; range, 9.0–28.0 mm Hg). In multiple regression analyses, the mean IOP was significantly lower among asthmatic children compared to normal participants (P = 0.007). The measured IOP was significantly higher in myopic participants than hyperopic patients (P = 0.003). This study provides a useful normative IOP database using the noncontact tonometer for healthy Iranian school children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Cell-based pro-angiogenic therapy by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been touted as a means to reducing the adverse effects of cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). Milieu-dependent regulation of pro-angiogenic potential of MSCs after infarction remains to be elucidated. In this study, the effects of marrow-derived MSCs on the kinetics of angiogenesis signaling factors were investigated in a rabbit model of MI. Methods: MI was induced in rabbits, and the animals were randomized into two groups (cell transplantation and control, each group with 21 animals). 1×106 autologous marrow-derived MSCs were injected into the myocardium of the border zone after transfection with a green fluorescent protein (GFP) lentiviral reporter vector. Control animals received PBS vehicle only. Effect of the transplanted cells on the hearts was evaluated over time by pathological, immunofluorescence, western blotting, immuno-electron microscopy, and echocardiographic analyses. Results: Transplanted GFP-positive MSCs were enriched with time in the peri-infarct border zone with differentiation potential into three major cell types of the heart, including cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells, and there was significant augmentation of microvascular density. The transplanted cells could change the milieu of the injured myocardium to increase the expression levels of VEGF as well as the ratio of Ang-2 to Ang-1, and to reduce the ratio of phosphorylated Tie2 to Tie2. Conclusion: An angiogenesis-promoting milieu was induced after the transplantation of marrow MSCs in the injured myocardium. Compared with the resident cells, the transplanted cells had a greater rate of cellular kinetics in the infarcted myocardium. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Data obtained from 4 studies with 282 subjects (141case/141control) were meta-analyzed. • Genistein supplementation for more than 6 months was effective. • Supplementation in metabolic syndrome subjects may lead to decrease in blood pressure. • Genistein may have effects on hypertension by modulation of adipose tissue function. Genistein (4′,5,7-trihydroxyisoflavone) is a phytoestrogen with potential health benefits in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. However, the evidence regarding its effects on hypertension has not been conclusive. Therefore, we examined the impact of oral genistein supplementation on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) via a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Scopus and the Cochrane library databases (until August 2019) were searched to identify potential RCTs with information on genistein supplementation and hypertension. Weighted Mean Difference (WMD) was pooled using a random-effects model. Pooling four RCTs (four treatment arms) together did not show any significant reduction of SBP (WMD: −5.32 mmHg, 95% CI: −14.59 to 3.96) and DBP (WMD: −2.06 mmHg, 95% CI: −6.41 to 2.28) compared to that of the placebo group. However, subgroup analysis by intervention duration suggested that more than 6 months genistein supplementation in metabolic syndrome patients can significantly decrease SBP (WMD: −13.73 mmHg, 95% CI: −18.10 to −9.37) and DBP (WMD: −5.18 mmHg, 95% CI: −6.62 to −3.74). Generally, present study indicated that genistein supplementation had no effect on hypertension, but it seems that longer intervention duration of more than 6 months especially among metabolic syndrome patients may lead to the effectiveness of genistein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]