Ahvaz City Research Articles

The Relationship Between the Prevalence of Depression Caused by Antiphospholipid Syndrome Abortion and Related Factors in Pregnant Women

Background: Psychological pathologies diagnosed during pregnancy are among the risk factors affecting adverse pregnancy outcomes. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the relationship between the prevalence of depression caused by antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) abortion and related factors in pregnant women. Methods: This research is a descriptive-analytical epidemiological study. Its target population includes all patients with abortions due to APS who referred to medical centers in Ahvaz city during the academic year from October 2022 to February 2023. Forty women with a history of at least two successful births and no history of fetal death or recurrent miscarriage, similar to the studied samples, were analyzed as a control group. Two demographic questionnaires—Midwifery and Beck's Depression—were used, and the data were analyzed using SPSS24 software. Results: The linear regression test showed a significant relationship between increasing maternal age, pregnancy rate, gestational age, history of depression, and increased depression caused by abortion (P < 0.05). There was a significant relationship between higher maternal education, higher husband's education, wife's occupation, mother's employment, number of living children, history of abortions, increased family well-being, and decreased depression caused by abortion (P < 0.05). Conclusions: It is recommended to implement a new consultation-based midwifery care method in maternity centers. Additionally, by enhancing follow-up and referral systems, individuals suspected of having mood disorders after abortion can be identified and referred to specialized centers.

The Efficacy of Metacognitive Therapy on Social Avoidance and Distress, and Academic Persistence Among Students with Exam Anxiety

Background: Attendance in educational settings such as schools is often accompanied by varying levels of anxiety for many students. One of the most significant types of anxiety in educational environments is exam anxiety. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of metacognitive therapy on social avoidance, distress, and academic persistence among students with exam anxiety in 2023. Methods: This quasi-experimental study utilized a pretest-posttest design to assess the efficacy of metacognitive therapy for female students with exam anxiety. All female second-grade high school students in Ahvaz city who reported experiencing exam anxiety during the 2022 - 2023 academic year were included in the study sample. A purposive sample of 36 female students was randomly divided into two groups: An experimental group receiving metacognitive therapy and a control group. The experimental group participated in seven 60-minute sessions of metacognitive therapy, conducted twice a week. The control group did not receive any intervention during the study period. The Social Avoidance and Distress Scale (SADS) and Academic Persistence Scale (APS) were administered to both groups before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance to control for baseline differences. Results: Metacognitive therapy was effective in reducing social avoidance and distress, as well as in improving academic persistence in high school students (P < 0.001). Specifically, the mean social avoidance and distress score decreased significantly from 19.67 ±1.68 to 10.11 ±2.13 in the metacognitive therapy group. Additionally, the mean academic persistence score increased significantly from 9.39 ±1.78 to 23.72 ±3.10 in the metacognitive therapy group. Conclusions: Metacognitive therapy effectively reduced social avoidance and distress while increasing academic persistence in female students with exam anxiety. This study highlights the therapy's potential as a valuable intervention for improving the overall well-being and academic performance of students facing similar challenges.

Reasons and Contexts of The Formation of Parallel Relationships From The Point of View of Family Counselors Among Couples in City of Ahvaz City: A Qualitative Study

Aim: The purpose of this research is to identify the attitude of family counselors towards the reasons and contexts of the formation of parallel relationships among couples in city of Ahvaz. Methods: This research was conducted using qualitative approach and grounded theory method through theoretical and purposeful sampling, in which 20 counselors of public and private family centers participated in in-depth interviews. The theoretical sampling process continued until the data saturation stage was reached. The collected data were analyzed using open, axial and selective coding. Results: The emerged model includes three dimensions of conditions, action-interactions, and consequences. The "conditions" dimension includes the deterioration of public attitudes and opinions, virtual space facilitating extra-marital relationships, sensationalism and lack of body care, couples' unwillingness to talk to each other, not maintaining the boundaries of personal life, immersion in family roles and social, imposition of choice and hidden protest, experience of modern love and marital frustration, not being able to cope, lack of satisfaction with married life, "action-interaction" dimension, including trying to relieve the significant other, "consequences" dimension, including the elimination of the culture of shame and modesty, self-deception and other insidious deception, fighting with oneself and obsessively searching for love, social isolation and the prevalence of social harms, which are formed around the core category of "hidden objection to life without love". Conclusion: Given that, parallel relationships are a danger to the health and safety of the family and society. Therefore, by using the concepts extracted in this research, experts can identify the platforms for the formation of parallel relationships and examine the strategies, and it can be a guide in couple therapy and pre-marital counseling.

The Association of Nasal and Blood Eosinophils with Serum IgE Level in Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma: A Case-Control Study.

Allergic rhinitis and asthma are two common respiratory diseases with allergic etiology in the world's population. Eosinophils and serum IgE levels have been known as inflammatory allergy markers for many years. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation of nasal and blood eosinophils with serum IgE levels in allergic rhinitis and asthma patients. This prospective study was done on patients (n = 78) diagnosed with asthma (n = 20), allergic rhinitis (n = 49), and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) (n = 9) at our hospital in Ahvaz City, Iran. The age of participants in our study ranged from 3 to 73 years, and all of them were subjected to a complete blood count (CBC) test, nasal smear, and determination of serum IgE levels after their consent. There was no correlation between serum IgE level and nasal eosinophil count (p = 0.728) or between serum IgE level and blood eosinophil count (p = 0.657); however, a positive correlation was detected between blood and nasal eosinophil levels (p = 0.003). There is no significant relationship between serum IgE level and eosinophil count in the blood and nasal secretions. Serum IgE level and blood or nasal eosinophil count are both useful biomarkers for monitoring allergic rhinitis and asthma individually, but no diagnostic conclusion can be drawn from their correlation.

Prediction and Prioritization of Individual and Organizational Factors Affecting Turnover Intention based on Fuzzy Delphi and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) Method: A Case Study of Employees of a Health Center in Ahvaz City in Iran

Background and Objective: The present study aimed to identify and prioritize the factors affecting the desire to leave the job of employees of a health center in Ahvaz City, Iran. Materials and Methods: A descriptive-analytical study was conducted in health centers in Ahvaz in 2023. The factors influencing the desire to leave a job were identified through a literature review and the fuzzy Delphi method. Additionally, 100 employees completed Kim's Turnover Tendency Scale. In the final step, the identified factors were weighted and prioritized using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Results: A total of 32 effective factors influencing the desire to leave work were identified and categorized into four groups: individual factors, organizational factors, job factors, and job-related factors. The findings from the AHP method indicated that age (0.213), education level (0.176), and work experience (0.143) from the category of individual factors, as well as salary, type of employment, and lack of promotion opportunities from the category of organizational factors, leadership and management style (0.243), changes in job descriptions (0.243), and organizational position (0.198), along with the employment of unqualified individuals (0.147) from the category of managerial factors, were identified as the most significant risk factors predicting the intention to leave a job among employees in health centers. Conclusion: By identifying and prioritizing the factors affecting the desire to leave the job among the employees of health centers, preventive measures can be defined and implemented to maintain the human resources providing health services.

The Association Between Parental Academic Support and Students’ Academic Well-Being: The Mediating Role of Academic Resilience

Background: Parental academic support plays a significant role in fostering academic resilience in students. By providing encouragement, guidance, and emotional support, parents can help their children develop the coping skills and self-confidence necessary to overcome obstacles and persist in their academic endeavors. Objectives: This study examines the relationship between parental academic support and students’ academic well-being, with a particular focus on the mediating role of academic resilience. Methods: This study employed a descriptive-correlational design. The population included all high school students in Ahvaz city during the 2022 - 2023 academic year. A sample of 384 students was selected using a multistage cluster sampling method. The research instruments included the School-Related Well-Being Scale (SWBS), Academic Support Scale, and Academic Resilience Scale. Structural equation modeling (SEM) in SPSS 25 and AMOS 25 was used to analyze the model relationships, followed by bootstrapping to test indirect effects. Results: The findings indicated significant positive relationships between academic resilience and academic well-being, and between parental academic support and academic resilience (P < 0.001). However, the direct relationship between parental academic support and academic well-being was not significant. The indirect relationship between parental academic support and academic well-being through academic resilience was found to be significant (P = 0.006). The final model demonstrated a good fit to the data, as evidenced by fit indices, including RMSEA (0.001), TLI (0.99), and CFI (0.99). Conclusions: The findings support the hypothesized mediating role of academic resilience. These results suggest that parental involvement, which fosters students' ability to recover from setbacks and persist in their studies, ultimately contributes to positive academic experiences and well-being.

Modeling of PM10 Particulate Matter in Ahvaz City Using Remote Sensing and Meteorological Parameters

Introduction: In recent years, remote sensing (RS) products have emerged as effective tools for monitoring air pollution. This study aims to predict the concentrations of particulate matter with a diameter smaller than 10μm (PM10) using a multivariate linear regression (MLR) model, incorporating both Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) products and meteorological parameters. Material and Methods: In this study, data on PM10 concentrations, Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD), and meteorological parameters (wind speed, temperature, humidity, and horizontal visibility) were used. The study focused on the time 15:00 each day, as this time was identified as having significant data relevance. The methodology section also consisted of three steps: 1) pairwise correlation analysis: The relationship between meteorological parameters, AOD, and PM10 was assessed using the pairwise correlation method. 2) Model development: A MLR model was developed to predict PM10 concentrations. 3) Validation: The model was validated using a separate dataset, ensuring that 70% of the data was used for training, and 30% for testing and validation. Results: The pairwise correlation analysis revealed a strong correlation (0.86) between AOD remote sensing index and PM10. The highest correlation (0.9) was observed during the spring season. The five developed equations to estimate the PM10 index yielded correlation coefficients ranging from 0.86 to 0.90. Notably, the highest correlation was achieved when AOD data and all the meteorological parameters were u tilized simultaneously. These results highlighted the utility of remote sensing products and meteorological data in air quality monitoring and prediction. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that a MLR model incorporating AOD and meteorological parameters can effectively predict PM10 concentrations in Ahvaz City, particularly during dust storms in hot seasons. These findings can aid policymakers and public health officials in developing strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of dust storms on air quality and public health.

Assessment of High-risk Behaviors among Female Students at State Secondary Schools in Ahvaz City in 2021

Background and Objectives: Adolescence is a sensitive period of life that is characterized by changes and rapid growth. These changes are related to behaviors that affect a person's health. Therefore, this research was conducted with the aim of determining the prevalence of high-risk behaviors among female students at state secondary schools in Ahvaz City in 2021. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on female students at state secondary schools in Ahvaz city by random sampling with inclusion criteria. The data were collected using a demographic form and the Iranian Adolescents Risk-Taking Scale and analyzed by SPSS software version 22 with descriptive statistical tests. Results: The average age of the subjects was 16.27 years. According to the mean and standard deviation results, the highest prevalence of risky behaviors in female students was related to dangerous driving (14.92±5.44) and drug addiction (13.13±4.70). Correlation results showed that there was a significant relationship between annual check-ups and dangerous driving, as well as between a history of physical illness and the tendency to have a relationship with the opposite sex (P<0.05). There was no significant relationship between drug addiction, alcohol consumption, smoking, violence, sexual relationship and behavior, relationship with the opposite sex, and dangerous driving with a history of mental illness and the death of family members (P>0.05). Conclusion: Considering the high prevalence of high-risk behaviors and the tendency to dangerous driving and drugs in female secondary school students, it seems necessary to perform psychological, educational, educational, counseling, and therapeutic interventions because prevention of high-risk behaviors is always easier, less expensive, and more effective than treatment.

Association of quality of life with marital satisfaction, stress, and anxiety in middle-aged women.

Marital satisfaction is one of the important components of quality of life. Women's marital satisfaction is affected when they enter the middle age period, due to the mental and emotional tensions caused by the physical changes. In this regard, the present study aimed to investigate the association of quality of life with marital satisfaction, stress, and anxiety in middle-aged women referring to health centers of Ahvaz city, Iran. This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 1,000 middle-aged married women (30-59 year of age) under the auspices of health centers of Ahvaz city, Iran in 2019. The subjects were selected by simple random sampling method, and were asked to complete demographic characteristics, quality of life questionnaire, Enrich marital satisfaction questionnaire, Holmes-Raheh stress questionnaire, and Spielberger state-trait anxiety inventory. The data were analyzed by using SPSS 0.22 software through mean, standard deviation, frequency, Pearson correlation and regression (p = 0.05). Based on the results, 42.4% of the participants were between 40 and 50 years of age, 35.6% had a high school diploma, and 50% of them were housewives. Also, the results of Pearson's correlation showed a positive and significant relationship between quality of life and marital satisfaction (r = 0.178) (p < 0.001). However, quality of life had a negative and significant relationship with anxiety (r = -0.552) (r < 0.001) and stress (r = -0.188) (p < 0.001). Given the positive and significant relationship between quality of life and marital satisfaction, appropriate trainings are highly recommended for couples to increase the quality of life and marital satisfaction of middle-aged women and thus strengthen the health of family and society.

The concentrations and health risks of potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate in some Iranian food products: A Monte Carlo simulation

The study aimed to investigate potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate concentrations in food items collected from Shiraz and Ahvaz cities. The study shows that while the mean concentration of sodium benzoate in Olovieh salad, pickled cucumber, mayonnaise sauce, and carbonated drinks generally met ISIRI and CODEX standards, 7.60 % and 3.08 % of mayonnaise sauce samples, and 4.46 % and 2.67 % of carbonated drinks exceeded these standards, respectively. Potassium sorbate levels were higher than the ISIRI standards in 18.4 % of cakes and cookies, 6.25 % in Olovieh salad, 20 % in mayonnaise sauce, and 5.36 % in pickled cucumbers samples. However, under the Codex, all these products were within acceptable limits, except mayonnaise sauce. In addition, ISIRI detected sodium benzoate in some products that should not be used, such as cake and cookies, tomato sauce, and non-carbonated fruit drinks. The Monte Carlo simulation for exposure estimation, carried out in this study for health risk assessment, revealed that the hazard index (HI) remained below the threshold (HI < 1). Specifically, the 5th percentile was at 0.21, the median at 0.32, and the 95th percentile at 0.45. The study suggested that while potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate in foods are low-risk, continued monitoring of these preservatives is recommended.

Potentially pathogenic culturable bacteria in hemodialysis waters

BackgroundHemodialysis patients are at risk of acquiring healthcare-related infections due to using non-sterile water to prepare hemodialysis fluid. Therefore, microbiological control and monitoring of used water are of crucial importance.Materials and methodsIn this work, we identified bacterial populations occupying a hemodialysis water distribution system for almost a 6-month period in Ahvaz city, southwest of Iran. A total of 18 samples from three points were collected. We found high colony counts of bacteria on R2A agar. 31 bacteria with different morphological and biochemical characteristics were identified by molecular-genetic methods based on 16 S rRNA gene sequencing. Endotoxin concentrations were measured, using Endosafe® Rapid LAL Single-Test Vials.ResultsA diverse bacterial community was identified, containing predominantly Gram-negative bacilli. The most frequently isolated genus was Sphingomonas. Five species including M. fortuitum, M. lentiflavum, M.szulgai, M. barrassiae, and M. gordonae was identified .Despite the presence of Gram-negative bacteria the endotoxin analysis of all samples revealed that their endotoxin values were below the detection limit.ConclusionThe members of Sphingomonas genus along with Bosea and mycobacteria could be regarded as pioneers in surface colonization and biofilm creation. These bacteria with others like Pelomonas, Bradyrhizobium, staphylococcus, and Microbacterium may represent a potential health risk to patients under hemodialysis treatment.

Land use evaluation and capacity assessment for sustainable urban physical development: case of study Ahvaz city

Land use evaluation and capacity assessment for sustainable urban development in Ahvaz city has become crucial due to rapid urban expansion negatively impacting current and future development. Urban population growth and resource demands have led to a decline in environmental quality. Over the past decades, Ahvaz has identified potential areas for future expansion until 2030. This study assesses the city's physical expansion and spatial development patterns, aiming to identify optimistic future development scenarios. Emphasizing balanced and equitable development, the study focuses on suitable areas, environmental preservation, pollution reduction, and mitigating urban hazards . Various factors, including land use, soil type, vegetation density, landform, groundwater level, geology, and distances from railways, industries, roads, hinterland cities, water networks, faults, and the city itself, are considered. Three decision-making methods—logic, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), and integrated Fuzzy-AHP—are applied to map urban physical development. Fuzzy logic, AHP models, Expert Choice, Arc GIS software, and a land fit zoning map are used for data analysis. The AHP assesses the factors' relative importance, followed by standardization based on fuzzy set theory. Criteria factors are then combined using AHP and fuzzy logic to generate a land suitability map. The study identifies five zones for Ahvaz's future development—very high, high, medium, low, and very low—based on their physical expansion potential. The third scenario, supported by maps, indicates favorable conditions for future development in the northwest and southwest zones, considering environmental characteristics, infrastructure, and land continuity.

Exploring the Challenges of Implementing the Integration Plan of Students With Borderline Intellectual Functioning in Ahvaz City Ordinary Schools: A Qualitative Study

Background and Aims Integrated education is a movement towards educational justice and integration of the education program for all, the implementation of which is still facing challenges. The present study aimed to explain the challenges of implementing the integration plan for students with borderline mental functioning in the ordinary schools of Ahvaz City, Iran. Methods The present study was conducted using a qualitative approach in primary schools in Ahvaz City using conventional content analysis based on the approach of Lundman and Graneheim from December 2020 to August 2021. Data were collected through field notes and 17 in-depth semi-structured interviews with 12 individuals, including 7 teachers, 2 principals and 3 assistants. Data coding and analysis were performed using MAXQDA software, version 18. Results Data analysis led to the emergence of 28 codes, including 3 categories of educational system challenges (with two subcategories of lack of planning and poor system of appraising borderline students), teachers’ challenges (with 5 subcategories of annoyance and objection of ordinary students, not following educational calendar program, high workload in integration classes, crowding and confusion of integration classes, and the teacher’s emotional reaction to not learning of the borderline students), and the attitude and response to integration plan (with 3 subcategories of reaction of ordinary students’ parents toward the integration plan, negative attitude of educational staff toward integration plan, and teachers’ objection toward integration plan). Conclusion The results showed that the administrators have a negative attitude toward implementing the integration plan and are against it. The successful implementation of the integration plan depends on solving the challenges in the path of this plan. It seems that the results of the present study can help education managers and policymakers design suitable and desirable programs to solve the challenges and facilitate the integration of students with borderline mental functioning in ordinary schools.

The Effectiveness of Role-Playing Training on Emotional Self-disclosure and Sense of Coherence in Students with Hearing Loss

Background: Hearing loss can lead to various complications, including difficulties in language and speech development, as well as cognitive, psychological, social, occupational, educational, and learning impairments. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of role-playing training on emotional self-disclosure (ESDS) and sense of coherence in students with hearing loss. Methods: The study was a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest approach and a control group. The statistical population included all students with hearing loss in the first and second high schools for the exceptional in Ahvaz City in 2023. A sample of 30 individuals was selected using the convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group (15 participants each). Students completed the Emotional Self-disclosure Scale and Sense of Coherence Questionnaire in both pretest and posttest phases. The experimental group received role-playing training in ten 90-minute sessions. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance. Results: Role-playing training had a significant positive effect on both emotional self-disclosure and sense of coherence in students with hearing loss (P = 0.001). The post-test results showed that the experimental group scored significantly higher than the control group in emotional self-disclosure (147.73 ± 15.11 vs. 102.60 ± 16.18) and sense of coherence (97.40 ± 13.86 vs. 67.80 ± 8.14) (P = 0.001). Conclusions: Role-playing training can be a valuable intervention for enhancing the emotional well-being of students with hearing loss. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on interventions aimed at improving emotional well-being in students with hearing loss. Role-playing training emerges as a promising approach with the potential for implementation in educational and therapeutic settings.

Structural Model of the Effect of Organizational Climate on Life Satisfaction with the Mediating Role of Job Satisfaction among Employees of Emergency Medical Centers in Ahvaz

Background: Today, human power has a deep connection with organization, and the dimensions of personal and organizational life of people are intertwined in a complicated way. The present study was conducted with the aim of designing a structural model of the effect of organizational climate on life satisfaction with the mediating role of job satisfaction among employees of emergency medical centers. Methods: The present descriptive-analytical study was conducted cross-sectionally in 2021. The statistical population of the research included 270 employees of emergency medical centers in Ahvaz city, including the headquarters, urban and road bases, who were all included in the study using the census method. Data collection tools consisted of Halpin and Croft's organizational climate questionnaires, life satisfaction and Spector's job satisfaction. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling technique in Smart PLS 3 software. Results: The findings showed that there was a significant and positive relationship between organizational climate and job satisfaction and job satisfaction and life satisfaction in emergency medical workers in Ahvaz city. Organizational climate has a significant and positive effect on life satisfaction through the mediation of job satisfaction. According to the path coefficients, the job satisfaction variable plays a mediating role in the relationship between organizational climate and life satisfaction with 0.51 units (0.776 x 0.663). The values of Standardized Root Mean Square Residual (SRMR) and Normed Fit Index (NFI) index were 0.089 and 0.571, respectively, which indicated the suitability of the presented model regarding the relationship between organizational climate, life satisfaction, and job satisfaction. Conclusion: Considering the effect of organizational climate on life satisfaction and the mediating role of job satisfaction, it is possible to increase employees' life satisfaction by providing a favorable environment in the organization and improving job satisfaction.

Investigating communication actions in successful marriages:A Qualitative study

Aim: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the communication actions of successful marriages Method: This study was conducted in a qualitative manner based on grounded theory. Society: The research includes successful couples based on their own admission, examining the achievements of their joint lives and implementing the Enrich Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire (1993), the short form of which was validated by Alidousti et al successful and satisfied were selected. In total, (10 couples) were studied in Ahvaz city in 1401 by purposeful sampling until the theoretical saturation of the data. The data collection tool was a semi-structured interview using Strauss and Corbin's method of constant comparison analysis. Findings: The analysis of the findings showed that communication actions in successful marriages have four main components including, main family functions, suitable marriage formation factors; Effective communication skills and character formation in childhood. Conclusion: A successful marriage is related to the family structure of people. Therefore, experts can use the concepts extracted in this research to identify and examine the communication characteristics of successful families, which is a guide in couples therapy and pre-marital counseling.

Monitoring microbial safety and evaluation of removal efficiency from drinking water in Ahvaz, Iran

The availability of potable water sources is vital worldwide. Due to the potential for microbial contamination, developing nations focus more research on the existence of microorganisms that are indicators in water than they do on chemical presence. This study was done in order to assess the microbial level of drinking water in Ahvaz city. In this descriptive-cross-sectional study, the measure the microbial tests, two culture mediums, MacConkey broth, and green lactose broth, were used for possible and confirmatory culture respectively. Bioindicators measured in drinking water included fecal coliform and total coliform. Not only the residual chlorine concentration was also measured, but its relationship with bioindicators was also calculated by Spearman's correlation test. Result of this study showed that, the maximum total coliform concentration reported is between 2021 and 2022 (1600 MPN/100 ml). Based on result of this study the average concentration of fecal coliform in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 were 11.88, 10.66, 7.78, and 6.11 MPN/100 ml respectively. The average annual concentration of total coliform and fecal coliform in four years was 28.95 and 9.32 MPN/100 ml, respectively. According result of this study, the Karun River, Ahvaz's main drinking water source, is contaminated by surface water runoff, old facilities, and unfiltered discharge of different wastewater kinds from factories, farms, and communities in Khuzestan.

Safety and Environmental Sustainability of Strategic Gasoil Tanks, Affected by Fire and Explosion Incidents in the Oil Facilities of Southern Ahvaz

Background: Incidents involving fire and explosions in storage tanks containing petroleum derivatives pose significant safety and environmental risks. The Ahvaz oil field, ranking as the third-largest globally, features numerous storage tanks for petroleum derivatives, raising the likelihood of accidents and necessitating a comprehensive investigation. Methods: This study aimed to assess the repercussions of gasoline release from two strategically positioned tanks within an oil center in Ahvaz city in the year 1400. The evaluation encompassed two gasoline tanks, one with a capacity of 650 L and the other with 2.3 million L. Numerical calculation methods and the ALOHA model were employed for consequence modeling. The modeling incorporated data on climatic conditions, topographic parameters, geographical characteristics, and tank specifications. The chemical exposure index (CEI) was utilized to prioritize potential health hazards for individuals in the vicinity of the tanks. Results: The findings indicated that, based on the Emergency Response Planning Guidelines (ERPG) criteria, the minimum safe distance for a fire is 28.5 yards for the 650-liter tank and 76.5 yards for the 2.3 million-L tank. Additionally, the toxic cloud radius resulting from diesel release was 61.2 and 136 yards for the respective tanks, putting 19 employees at risk in this area. Thus, the consequences of diesel release from tanks represent plausible and noteworthy incidents that could lead to significant accidents and damages. Conclusion: Assessing the repercussions of diesel release serves as an effective management tool in emergencies involving tanks, facilitating safe and appropriate placement measures.

Investigating the Occurrence of Dust Storms and its Zoning Using GIS During 2018-2021: A Case Study in Ahvaz, Iran

Background: A dust storm is a critical environmental issue and natural hazard in arid and semiarid regions worldwide. Particulate matters including PM10 and PM2.5 are of the primary air pollutants, which can adversely affect human health. This research aimed to determine the fine dust concentration spatiotemporally and estimate the suspended particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) during 2018-2021 in Ahvaz. Methods: An analytical- descriptive method and the data from synoptic weather stations in the studied area were used in this study. The zoning of dust was done using the kriging method by ArcGIS software. Results: The results indicated that the year 2021 experienced the highest frequency of dusty days, with 54 occurrences, while the year 2019 exhibited the lowest frequency, with only 28 dusty days. Notably, Ahvaz city recorded the highest dust concentration in 2020, reaching an average of 4667 mg/m3 . Based on the findings of PM concentration over the four-year period, it is evident that 2021 recorded the highest PM10 concentration (326.14 mg/m3 ), while 2020 exhibited the highest PM2.5 concentration (148.26 mg/m3 ). Conclusion: The results revealed that there was an increase in dust concentration in the east and north. This is probably attributed to the proximity to dust centers.

The influence of diverse climate on the 3E analysis of energy, exergy, and environmental aspects of a hybrid module of thermoelectric generator and photovoltaic cells

The increasing demand for energy and the efforts to meet this demand cleanly have drawn experts' attention towards renewable energy sources such as solar energy. In this article, a novel hybrid system consisting of a thermoelectric module for converting the heat from a solar module into electrical energy, coupled with a solar cell, has been utilized to maximize energy utilization. This unique integration of thermoelectric and photovoltaic technologies has been shown to take advantage of the fact that the thermoelectric module reduces the temperature of the solar module, consequently increasing its efficiency. The results of this study have been examined in five different cities and for five different climate types through three energy, exergy, and environmental analyses, which were conducted under two distinct scenarios. The PVSyst software was used to simulate environmental conditions and solar cell performance, while MATLAB was employed to code and connect the solar cell and thermoelectric modules. In the first scenario, by varying the thermoelectric merit constant and the intensity of solar radiation, it has been observed that the placement of the thermoelectric module increases the energy and exergy efficiency by approximately 5 % and 4 % respectively, and carbon dioxide pollution is reduced by 194 tons on a specific day of the month (July). Moreover, in the second scenario, by examining the hybrid system in the city of Ahvaz and determining the material and quantity of the thermoelectric and solar cell modules, it has been found that the energy and exergy efficiency of the hybrid system (in the maximum state) reach 20.12 % and 21.23 % respectively, in May. This system in the city reduces carbon dioxide pollution by approximately 41 tons on a specific day of the month (maximum reduction).