Background: The effectiveness of particulate air scrubbers in industrial settings is closely linked to an accurate understanding of particle size distribution (PSD). Isokinetic sampling is the standard approach for PSD measurement, though it presents operational challenges such as complex instrumentation and flow disturbances during sampling. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between PSD in the workplace environment and the airflow inside the local ventilation duct of an iron manufacturing facility. It also assessed the efficiency of the existing scrubber system in controlling particle pollutants. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at an iron manufacturing unit, where PSD was measured three times at 17 pollutant-emitting sources connected to a single ventilation system. A four-stage cascade impactor was used to categorize particles into four size ranges: < 1 µm, 1 - 4 µm, 4 - 15 µm, and > 15 µm. Isokinetic sampling based on BS 3405 standards was performed inside the main duct leading to the scrubber. Data were analyzed using SPSS v16. Results: The results showed that there was no statistically significant correlation between the PSD of airborne pollutants in the duct before and after the scrubber (r = 0.476, P-value > 0.05), nor between the PSD after the scrubber and in the workplace air when the system was ON (r = 0.362, P-value > 0.05). In contrast, strong and statistically significant correlations were observed between the PSD in the duct before the scrubber and the workplace air when the system was ON (r = 0.958, P-value ≤ 0.05) and OFF (r = 0.763, P-value ≤ 0.05), as well as between the PSD in the workplace air when the system was OFF and at the chimney outlet (r = 0.876, P-value ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: Ambient air PSD measurements can serve as a reliable alternative to internal duct measurements for evaluating and redesigning scrubber systems. It is recommended that this approach be tested across various pollutants to enhance its applicability and reliability.

Background: This study investigates the efficiency of the advanced oxidation process VUV/H₂O₂ for removing the antibiotic from tetracycline (TC) aqueous solutions. Methods: The process uses a low-pressure vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) lamp emitting at 185 nm and 254 nm to degrade TC. The addition of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) enhances the generation of hydroxyl radicals (OH•), which are the main agents responsible for the degradation. Various operational parameters were evaluated, including pH (5-7-9), initial TC concentrations (5, 10, and 20 mg/L), H₂O₂ concentrations (1 - 10 mg/L), as well as the presence of anions and organic compounds. Results: Results showed that the highest removal efficiency of TC (100%) was achieved at pH 7 with 2 mg/L of H₂O₂ after 90 minutes of treatment. Increasing the H₂O₂ concentration beyond the level of 10 mg/L reduced the efficiency slightly to around 90.55% due to scavenging effects. In the absence of H₂O₂, the VUV process alone removed about 60% of TC. The presence of anions such as phosphate, chloride, and sulfate led to decreases in removal efficiency by 29.4%, 13.4%, and 15.6%, respectively. Among the tested organic compounds, phenol and humic acid exhibited the most pronounced inhibitory effects. The degradation kinetics followed a pseudo-first-order model (R² = 0.9942), indicating a consistent and predictable reaction behavior. Under optimal conditions, the removal efficiencies of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC) were 78% and 40%, respectively. Conclusions: In conclusion, the study demonstrated that the VUV/H₂O₂ process is an effective and tunable method for the degradation and mineralization of TC in contaminated water.

Background: Suicide is a major public health challenge, with Ilam province in Iran exhibiting a concerning upward trend and one of the highest rates in the country. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of fatal suicide in Ilam province and to develop and validate a multivariable predictive model to identify individuals at high risk. Methods: This retrospective case-control study included all fatal suicide cases recorded by the Legal Medicine Organization from May 2024 to June 2025. Age- and gender-matched controls were selected from the primary health care registry. A multivariable logistic regression model was constructed, and its performance was evaluated using the Area Under the Curve (AUC) and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. Results: The incidence rate of fatal suicide was 18.1 per 100,000 population (95% CI: 14.7 - 21.4). The final model identified a history of psychiatric disorder (OR = 2.7), unemployment (OR = 1.9), and a family history of suicide (OR = 2.1) as significant predictors. The model demonstrated excellent discrimination (AUC = 0.81) and good calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow P = 0.48). Conclusions: The high incidence of suicide in Ilam necessitates targeted interventions. The validated model provides a robust, evidence-based tool for the early identification of high-risk individuals, which can guide preventive strategies and optimize resource allocation.

Background: Communication problems and relational distress are among the primary predictors of marital dissatisfaction and instability. Marital satisfaction is a key component of mental health and family stability and is influenced by various psychological factors. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of social cognition in the relationship between marital satisfaction and attachment styles. Methods: In this descriptive-correlational study based on structural equation modeling, a total of 220 individuals (153 women and 67 men) were selected from among married people in Zahedan, Iran. The ENRICH Marital Satisfaction (EMS) Questionnaire, Attachment Styles Questionnaire (ASQ), and the “Reading the Mind in the Eyes” and “Recognition of Emotional Facial Expressions” tests were used for data collection. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 25 software, and mediation analysis was performed with the Hayes PROCESS tool. Results: Secure attachment style and social cognition demonstrated a positive and significant relationship with marital satisfaction, while insecure preoccupied, fearful, and dismissing attachment styles showed a significant negative relationship with marital satisfaction (P < 0.001). Additionally, according to the results from hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis, the research variables explained more than 45% of the variance in marital satisfaction (R2 = 0.453). Conclusions: The mediation path analysis suggested a significant indirect effect of secure and insecure attachment styles on marital satisfaction. Furthermore, the social cognition model of marital satisfaction, with emphasis on attachment styles, was found to be a good fit for the studied sample. Therefore, it is recommended to address the importance of social cognition and parent-child relationships in the early years of life.

Background: Iran has experienced a sustained decline in fertility. Understanding how newly married couples navigate childbearing decisions is critical for policy and counseling. Objectives: To explore factors shaping childbearing intentions among couples attending premarital counseling in Zahedan, Iran. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study using conventional content analysis (CCA) in 2024. Maximum-variation purposive sampling recruited 18 couples (36 individuals) from a university-affiliated premarital counseling center. Data were generated through in-depth, semi-structured individual interviews until information saturation. Verbatim transcripts were anonymized. Analysis proceeded inductively: Familiarization, line-by-line open coding, grouping codes into sub-categories, abstraction into main categories, and identification of an overarching (central) category. Trustworthiness was ensured via member checking, independent co-coding, an audit trail, reflexivity, and peer debriefing. This report was developed in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines. Results: One central category — “Deliberate childbearing: Decision-making contingent on readiness and capability” — organized five main categories: Economic-livelihood, bio-psychological, work-education, cultural-family, and personal preferences. Conclusions: Multilevel strategies that improve economic security, support education-work-family balance, and enhance premarital counseling content may better align couples’ goals with fertility policies.

Background: Welding processes expose workers to a range of occupational hazards, including chemical pollutants, noise, and non-ionizing radiation, which can compromise health. Effective selection and consistent use of personal protective equipment (PPE), along with engineering and management controls, are essential for mitigating these risks. Objectives: The present study aimed to identify occupational hazards in welding operations and propose strategies to enhance worker safety and health through optimized PPE use and workplace risk management. Methods: Hierarchical task analysis (HTA) was applied to systematically decompose the tasks of argon arc welding (TIG) and submerged arc welding (SAW). Other roles and activities within the workshop were examined to assess potential cross-exposures. Workplace hazards were evaluated using a combined qualitative and quantitative approach, including field observations, interviews with workers and technical experts, and analysis of technical and safety documentation. Environmental measurements included noise, airborne pollutants, and radiation levels. Results: The HTA identified multiple stages in welding processes where workers are exposed to hazards such as metal fumes, hazardous chemicals, noise, non-ionizing radiation, and molten metal spatter. Noise levels frequently exceeded recommended limits, while elevated concentrations of manganese and crystalline silica fumes were detected. Shared workspaces led to secondary exposure to hazards from adjacent tasks. Proper use of PPE, including hearing protection, respiratory masks, flame-resistant clothing, and welding helmets, was shown to effectively mitigate these risks. Conclusions: Welding hazards are cumulative and influenced by both task-specific and environmental factors. Continuous and correct use of PPE, combined with engineering controls and management measures such as task rotation, is critical to protect workers’ health. Ongoing training, supervision, and workplace monitoring are recommended to ensure compliance and reduce occupational risks in welding environments.

Context: Human resources for health (HRH) are a cornerstone of effective health systems. However, many lower-middle-income countries (LMICs) in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO) face persistent shortages and structural challenges. Objectives: This review evaluates the implementation of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Strategy for HRH: Workforce 2030 in Iran, Djibouti, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Palestine, and Pakistan. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Literature published between 2015 and 2025 was retrieved from seven databases, including PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. From 2,768 records screened, 52 peer-reviewed articles met the inclusion criteria. Methodological quality was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tools. Results: Progress toward the 2020 milestones varied across countries. Egypt demonstrated notable success in accreditation reforms, while Tunisia and Morocco faced challenges in policy implementation and workforce distribution. The role of community health workers (CHWs) was particularly effective in Iran, improving rural healthcare access and outcomes. Conclusions: Strengthening HRH in the EMRO requires sustained investment, robust data systems, and coordinated policy efforts. Integrating HRH strategies within broader health system reforms is essential to achieving equitable service delivery. Future research should address regional disparities and support resilient workforce planning.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic not only had a long-term impact on healthcare but also changed the epidemic trends of diseases. The impact of COVID-19 on hepatitis E is still unclear. Objectives: The aims of the study were to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hepatitis E incidence and establish a prediction model to predict the trend of hepatitis E in China. Methods: Monitored data on the incidence of hepatitis E in China from January 2012 to July 2022 were collected. The causal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hepatitis E incidence in China was explored using intervention analysis under the Bayesian structured time series (BSTS) model. The BSTS and autoregressive (AR) integrated moving average (ARIMA) models were established using training and testing sets, respectively, and the predictive performance of the models was compared. Results: It was found that there were seasonal fluctuations in the hepatitis E incidence in China. The number of monthly average hepatitis E cases decreased by 32% (95% CI: -40% ~ -23%) from January to December 2020 owing to the COVID-19 pandemic (probability of causal effect: 99.89%, P = 0.001). From January 2020 to July 2022, it decreased by 15% (95% CI: -21% ~ -9.4%). Because the error indicators of mean absolute error (MAD), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), root mean square error (RMSE), and root mean square percentage error (RMSPE) under the BSTS model were smaller than those under the ARIMA model, the prediction accuracy of the BSTS model was higher. Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the overall incidence rate of hepatitis E in China decreased as a result of COVID-19. The BSTS model has strong application value to forecast the hepatitis E trend in China.