Generalized Wardrop Equilibrium for Charging Station Selection and Route Choice of Electric Vehicles in Joint Power Distribution and Transportation Networks

This paper presents the equilibrium analysis of a game composed of heterogeneous electric vehicles (EVs) and a power distribution system operator (DSO) as the players, and charging station operators (CSOs) and a transportation network operator (TNO) as coordinators. Each EV tries to pick a charging station as its destination and a route to get there at the same time. However, the traffic and electrical load congestion on the roads and charging stations lead to the interdependencies between the optimal decisions of EVs. CSOs and the TNO need to apply some tolling to control such congestion. On the other hand, the pricing at charging stations depends on real-time distributional locational marginal pricing, which is determined by the DSO after solving the optimal power flow over the power distribution network. This paper also takes into account the local and the coupling/infrastructure constraints of EVs, transportation and distribution networks. This problem is modeled as a generalized aggregative game, and then a decentralized learning method is proposed to obtain an equilibrium point of the game, which is known as variational generalized Wardrop equilibrium. The existence of such an equilibrium point and the convergence of the proposed algorithm to it are proven. We undertake numerical studies on the Savannah city model and the IEEE 33-bus distribution network and investigate the impact of various characteristics on demand and prices

A Consensus-Based Generalized Multi-Population Aggregative Game with Application to Charging Coordination of Electric Vehicles

This paper introduces a consensus-based generalized multi-population aggregative game coordination approach with application to electric vehicles charging under transmission line constraints. The algorithm enables agents to seek an equilibrium solution while considering the limited infrastructure capacities that impose coupling constraints among the users. The Nash-seeking algorithm consists of two interrelated iterations. In the upper layer, population coordinators collaborate for a distributed estimation of the coupling aggregate term in the agents' cost function and the associated Lagrange multiplier of the coupling constraint, transmitting the latest updated values to their population's agents. In the lower layer, each agent updates its best response based on the most recent information received and communicates it back to its population coordinator. For the case when the agents' best response mappings are non-expansive, we prove the algorithm's convergence to the generalized Nash equilibrium point of the game. Simulation results demonstrate the algorithm's effectiveness in achieving equilibrium in the presence of a coupling constraint.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, journa

The characterization of oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy using electromyography in gastrointestinal cancer patients

Oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OIPN) is a common dose-dependent chemotherapy complication in gastrointestinal cancer (GIC). This side effect may restrict therapeutic dose elevation of oxaliplatin. Here, OIPN frequency and determinants of neuropathy appearance in oxaliplatin-treated GIC patients. A total of 102 GIC patients who underwent chemotherapy with fluorouracil, folinic acid and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX4) regimen participated in this longitudinal study. Electromyography (EMG) was accomplished for ulnar, radial, sural, peroneal nerves and superficial peroneal nerve (SPN) before, 3, and 6 months after treatment. National Cancer Institute-Common Toxicity Criteria V.3 and clinical version of the Total Neuropathy Score were used for the neuropathy diagnosis at six months after treatment onset. Of all entered patients, twelve people discontinued this study, and five patients passed away. About 85 patients remained three and six months after chemotherapy onset. Approximately 95% of patients three months after chemotherapy demonstrated OIPN manifestations. Finally, data for 81 patients having neuropathy were analyzed. Mean age of patient 64.0±10.9 years. There were about 3.7%, 30.9%, 63% grade III, II, I of neuropathy, respectively. Interestingly, a significant decrease in action potential (AP) amplitude of SPN, sural and radial nerves but not ulnar and peroneal was observed after treatment onset. However, only the ulnar nerve indicated a substantial deceleration of nerve conduction. Age, sex, weight, past medical diseases, smoking and acute neuropathy were not significantly associated with OIPN. The occurrence of OIPN is detectable by electrophysiological changes of SPN, radial, and sural nerves at three and six months after starting chemotherapy with the FOLFOX4 regimen

Response of vegetables to cadmium-enriched soil

Environmental and water pollution through heavy metals is a growing concern. The recycling of untreated wastewater, which is often contaminated with heavy metals, for agricultural applications is becoming more popular. However, information on the amount of absorption and accumulation of cadmium (Cd) at variable concentrations by different crops is limited. This study aims to analyze the impact of various Cd concentrations (0, 30, 60 and 120 mg/kg) in the root zone on the quantity of its absorption as well as accumulation in various parts of seven different types of common vegetables. The experiments were carried out under laboratory-like controlled conditions. Four treatments and three replicates were selected. Cadmium accumulation exceeded the permissible limits for human consumption, and its accumulation in different plant parts followed this order: Leaves: broccoli > spinach > basil > garlic > carrot > tarragon > dill. Stems: broccoli > spinach > basil > garlic > tarragon > carrot > dill. Roots: broccoli > garlic > basil > spinach > carrot > dill > tarragon. Therefore, the authors recommend the reuse of treated wastewater, which should be virtually free of contaminants such as heavy metals, to irrigate farm lands in the future

Pilates Exercise and Functional Balance in Parkinson\'s Disease

Background: Parkinson's disease as a progressive disorder of the nervous system leads to the disability of postural control system. Objectives: In the present study the effects of Pilates exercises on functional balance in patients with Parkinson's was investigated. Materials and Methods: This control trial included 30 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease who were selected as subjects randomly and assigned into either exercise groups or control group. Participants in exercise and control groups attended an 8-week Pilates program or walking program respectively. Functional balance, core stability and lower limb strength were evaluated by Fullerton Balance Scale (FAB), valid functional core stability and strength tests respectively, before and after interventions. In order to analyze the data paired samples t-test and independent samples t-test and SPSS version 22 were used. Results: Attending an eight-week Pilates exercise was associated with a significant improvement in functional balance, core stability indicators and lower limb strength (p=0.000), while the difference of the variables in control group was not significant. Also the difference between the results of functional balance, core stability and lower limb strength of two groups in post-test was significant (p=0.000). Conclusion: Given that Pilates exercises involve both musculoskeletal system and nervous system, can be an effective intervention to improving balance in patients with Parkinson's disease

Unilateral cortical thickening and hyper-intensity due to mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke like episodes (MELAS)

Patients with mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) present with recurrent and partially reversible neurological deficits. Lesions of MELAS classically cause a signal change in both the grey and white matter, predominantly in the occipital and parietal lobes. These lesions mimic infarction. Here, we reported a case of MELAS with rare neuroimaging finding of hemispheric cortical thickening on T2/FLAIR images with intracortical nodular gadolinium enhancement; then we discussed the clinical and radiological differential diagnoses of it

The onset and frequency of spasticity after first ever stroke

Spasticity is one of the most important causes of disability after stroke. In spite of high incidence of spasticity, little is known about the relationship between the occurrence and the development of spasticity. This study aimed to determine risk-factors of post stroke spasticity. This was an observational study of 149 persons with first ever stroke. The following parameters were assessed: Stroke severity, Spasticity, Disability and Joint contracture. Prevalence of spasticity was between 17–25% during the first 3 months after stroke. The onset of spasticity was 13.79% and 4.16% at 1 and 3 months after stroke respectively. The prevalence of spasticity in the upper extremity was significantly more than lower extremity at 1 month. Spasticity was significantly more severe in the upper extremity than lower extremity. In patients with hemorrhagic stroke Odds ratios of spasticity was 2.5 times more than persons with ischemic stroke (P = 0.0210. The Odds ratios of severe spasticity at 1 and 3 months were 1.66 and 1.75 times more than the first week (P = 0.024, P = 0.042 respectively). Post stroke spasticity is more common in persons with hemorrhagic stroke, severe paresis and lower functional abilities. The most incidence of spasticity happens in the first month after stroke