Robust Multi-Objective Sustainable Reverse Supply Chain Planning: An Application in the Steel Industry

In the design of the supply chain, the use of the returned products and their recycling in the production and consumption network is called reverse logistics. The proposed model aims to optimize the flow of materials in the supply chain network (SCN), and determine the amount and location of facilities and the planning of transportation in conditions of demand uncertainty. Thus, maximizing the total profit of operation, minimizing adverse environmental effects, and maximizing customer and supplier service levels have been considered as the main objectives. Accordingly, finding symmetry (balance) among the profit of operation, the environmental effects and customer and supplier service levels is considered in this research. To deal with the uncertainty of the model, scenario-based robust planning is employed alongside a meta-heuristic algorithm (NSGA-II) to solve the model with actual data from a case study of the steel industry in Iran. The results obtained from the model, solving and validating, compared with actual data indicated that the model could optimize the objectives seamlessly and determine the amount and location of the necessary facilities for the steel industry more appropriately.This article belongs to the Special Issue Uncertain Multi-Criteria Optimization Problem

User community detection via embedding of social network structure and temporal content

© 2019 Elsevier Ltd Identifying and extracting user communities is an important step towards understanding social network dynamics from a macro perspective. For this reason, the work in this paper explores various aspects related to the identification of user communities. To date, user community detection methods employ either explicit links between users (link analysis), or users’ topics of interest in posted content (content analysis), or in tandem. Little work has considered temporal evolution when identifying user communities in a way to group together those users who share not only similar topical interests but also similar temporal behavior towards their topics of interest. In this paper, we identify user communities through multimodal feature learning (embeddings). Our core contributions can be enumerated as (a) we propose a new method for learning neural embeddings for users based on their temporal content similarity; (b) we learn user embeddings based on their social network connections (links) through neural graph embeddings; (c) we systematically interpolate temporal content-based embeddings and social link-based embeddings to capture both social network connections and temporal content evolution for representing users, and (d) we systematically evaluate the quality of each embedding type in isolation and also when interpolated together and demonstrate their performance on a Twitter dataset under two different application scenarios, namely news recommendation and user prediction. We find that (1) content-based methods produce higher quality communities compared to link-based methods; (2) methods that consider temporal evolution of content, our proposed method in particular, show better performance compared to their non-temporal counter-parts; (3) communities that are produced when time is explicitly incorporated in user vector representations have higher quality than the ones produced when time is incorporated into a generative process, and finally (4) while link-based methods are weaker than content-based methods, their interpolation with content-based methods leads to improved quality of the identified communities

The Positive Effect of Atropa belladonna on Inflammatory Cytokines in the Animal Model of Multiple Sclerosis

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation and demyelination of the central nervous system. Given the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of MS and the anti-inflammatory effect of Atropa belladonna (AB), the aim of this study was to determine the effect of AB on inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors in MOG35-55 induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).Methods: Thirty-two purebred C57BL/6 mice, weighing (20 ± 2g) were randomly assigned to the 4 groups: control, and three experimental groups: EAE, EAE + AB100, and EAE + AB300 that after EAE induction received 0, 100, and 300 mg/kg AB daily. AB was dissolved in PBS (phosphate-buffered saline) and the volume of gavage in all groups was 100 μL. After 30 days, the mice were weighed, anesthetized with ether and blood was collected directly from the heart. Specific animal ELISA kits measured the inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, IL-17, IL-4, and TNF-α). One-way ANOVA with Duncan post hoc test was used for comparison between groups.Results: EAE increased serum concentrations of TNF-α, IL-17, and decreased IL-10 and IL-4 compared to the control group. AB significantly decreased the mean level of TNF-α, IL-17 and increased IL-10 and IL-4 compared with EAE group. The effect of 300 mg/kg was clearly better than 100 mg/kg. There was also a significant difference between the control group and the 300 mg/kg group.Conclusion: In the present study, AB plant extract increased serum levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines in the MS animal model

Study of the immunogenicity of outer membrane protein A (ompA) gene from Acinetobacter baumannii as DNA vaccine candidate in vivo

Objective(s): Acinetobacter baumannii is one the most dangerous opportunistic pathogens in hospitalized infections. This bacterium is resistant to 90% of commercial antibiotics. Therefore, developing new strategies to cure A. baumannii-infections is urgent. The DNA vaccines new approach in which the immunogen can be directly expressed inside the target cells through cloning of immunogen into an expression vector. The outer membrane protein A(OmpA) is one the critical factors in pathogenicity of A. baumannii which has been repeatedly described as a powerful immunogen to trigger the immune responses. As the pure form of the OmpA is insoluble, vaccine delivery is very hard. Materials and Methods: We previously cloned the ompA gene from A. baumannii into the eukaryotic expression vector pBudCE4.1 and observed that the OmpA protein has been considerably expressed in eukaryotic cell model. In current study, the immunogenic potential of pBudCE4.1-ompA has been evaluated in mice model of experimental. The serum levels of IgM, IgG, IL-2, IL-4, IL-12 and INF-γ were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) after immunization with ompA-vaccine. The protective efficiency of the designed-DNA vaccine was evaluated following intranasal administration of mice with toxic dose of A. baumannii.Results: Obtained data showed the elevated levels of IgM, IgG, IL-2, IL-4, IL-12 and INF-γ in serum following the vaccine administration and mice who immunized with recombinant vector were survived more than control group.Conclusion: These findings indicate ompA-DNA vaccine is potent to trigger humoral and cellular immunity responses although further experiments are needed

The protective effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Ephedra pachyclada leaves on ovarian damage induced by cyclophosphamide in rat: An experimental study

Background: Cyclophosphamide (CP) is an anticancer drug that acts as an alkylation agent after metabolism in the liver. CP has toxic effects on the body’s cells, especially the reproductive system’s function, and causes infertility. Moreover, medicinal plants have few side effects and are psychologically acceptable to patients. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of Ephedra pachyclada hydroalcoholic extract (EPHE) on ovarian tissue and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in rats treated with CP. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 48 adult female Wistar rats (180-200 gr, 9-10 wk) were randomly assigned to 6 experimental groups (n = 8/each): (a) control; (b) sham; (c) CP; (d) CP+250 mg/kg EPHE; (e) CP+500 mg/kg EPHE; (f) CP+1000 mg/kg EPHE. On the 29th day of the experiment, serum was collected; serum concentration of the luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, estrogen, progesterone, and antioxidant activity were measured. The number of ovarian follicles were also counted. Results: In the CP groups, serum concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone significantly increased, and estrogen and progesterone significantly decreased (p ≤ 0.05). EPHE significantly compensated for the complications caused by CP and 1000 mg/kg had the greatest effect. Antioxidant reduction by CP was significantly enhanced by EPHE, especially at higher doses (p ≤ 0.05). The number of primordial, primary, secondary, and Graafian follicles showed a significant decrease in CP groups and EPHE groups showed a significant increase compared to the CP. EPHE showed that the concentration of 1000 mg/kg was more effective than other doses (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: In addition to proving the effect of EPHE on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, our investigation showed antioxidant properties, which can be an effective factor in CP-treated rats. Key words: Ephedra, Cyclophosphamide, Ovary, Follicles, Hydroalcoholic extract

Predictors of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Objectives The present study was aimed to identify the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative predictors of AF in a pure cohort of the patients with coronary artery disease who underwent CABG surgery. Methods Between November 2005 and May 2006, 302 consecutive patients were included in this prospective study. All the relevant clinical, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, and laboratory data were gathered in the included patients and they were also monitored for development of post-CABG AF.Results Postoperative AF occurred in 46 (15%) of patients. By univariate analysis, older age, P-wave abnormality in ECG, presence of mitral regurgitation, larger left atrium (LA), left main coronary artery involvement, failure to graft right coronary artery (RCA), and adrenergic use in ICU were significantly associated with occurrence of post-CABG AF (all P< 0.05). However, in the logistic regression model, age (OR: 1.067, 95%CI: 1.02-1.116, P=0.005), LA dimension (OR: 1.102, 95%CI: 1.017-1.1936, P=0.017), P-wave morphology (OR: 12.07, 95%CI: 3.35-48.22, P=0.0001), failure to graft RCA (OR: 3.57, 95%CI: 1.20-10.64, P=0.022), and postoperative adrenergic use (OR: 0.35, 95%CI: 0.13-0.93, P=0.036) remained independently predictive of postoperative AF.Conclusion The present study suggested that age, P-wave morphology, LA dimension, failure to graft right coronary artery, and postoperative adrenergic use were independent predictors of post-CABG AF. Therefore, clinical data, ECG and echocardiography may be useful in preoperative risk stratification of the surgical patients for the occurrence of post-CABG A

Congenital rubella infection in neonatal cord blood samples of newborns in hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Rubella is a disease caused by the rubella virus and it is usually mild and self-limiting. Infection of a developing fetus is serious and important because the child may be born with congenital rubella syndrome. Its symptoms include mental retardation, heart defects, cataract, etc. In 2003, mass vaccination against measles and rubella in individuals 5-25 years old was done. One of the main objectives of this study was to survey congenital rubella infection status with the presence of IgM antibodies against rubella virus in cord blood samples and also the immunity assessment of maternal IgG antibodies against rubella virus in the above samples. Methods: The cross-sectional study was to determine the transfer of congenital rubella in 358 cord blood samples collected in hospitals affiliated to the Tehran University of Medical Sciences that was done in 2008-2009 The collected samples were analyzed by two ELISA methods for detection of IgG and IgM antibodies, RT-Nested PCR tests was applied on samples of IgG–negative and IgM-positive and also some of randomly IgG-positive samples for identifying the presence of the virus genome. In this study two groups of mothers were tested, one consisted above 29 years of age (at the time of vaccination) with the frequency of 73.4% and the other one below 29 years of age with the frequency of 26.6%.Results: Of the 358 samples, 91.1% IgG and 2.8% were found to be positive. None of the 31 samples were positive according to the presence of the virus genome via the method of RT-Nested PCR. Conclusion: According to high immunity of mothers, the probability of congenital rubella transmission was low, but because of low immunity of mothers of >29 years of age, it is much better to upgrade the age of vaccination to 28 years old

Comparison of the effects of Ginger extract with clomiphene citrate on sex hormones in rats with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women which affect fertility. Clomiphene citrate is used as first-line treatment for this disorder, which is associated with some complications and therapeutic resistance. Objective: In this research, we compare the effectiveness of ginger with clomiphene on sexual hormones such as Luteinizing hormone (LH), Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estrogen and progesterone in order to treat PCOS effectively with fewer side effects. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 63 adult female rats (170-200 gr) were studied and divided randomly into 9 groups as control (not received any interventional substance for 60 and 89 days), sham (were given distilled water and ethyl alcohol intraperitoneally daily for 60 and 89 days), and 7 experimental groups receiving estradiol valerate (PCOS inducing agent, intramuscular) alone and with 100 mg/kg clomiphene or different doses of ginger extract (175 and 350 mg/kg) orally daily for 60 and 89 days. Sexual hormones were analyzed and compared in different groups. Results: Our results showed that in the PCOS-induced group, LH and estrogen concentration increased while progesterone and FSH concentration decreased remarkably (p<0.05) as compared to control group. Furthermore, in groups receiving clomiphene and ginger extract, we demonstrated significant (p<0.05) improvement in hormonal secretion as compared to the PCOS-induced group. Clomiphene, compared with the lower dose of ginger extract, had a better improving effect on balancing sexual hormones in PCOS. Moreover, ginger extract at higher doses has better effects in improving PCOS. Conclusion: As the long-term administration of clomiphene citrate has some side effects, the use of ginger as a herbal medicine without any side effects at high doses can be an effective and good alternative in improving PCOS. zingiber officinal R. on primary dysmenorrhea. J Med Plants 2010; 9: 81-86

Antibiotics Induced Acute Kidney Injury: Incidence, Risk Factors, Onset Time and Outcome

Drug induced acute kidney injury (AKI) has been implicated in 8% to 60% of all cases of in-hospital AKI and as such is a recognized source of significant morbidity and mortality. Evaluation of incidence, risk factors, onset time, and outcome of  antibiotics' associated acute kidney injury. During one-year period, all patients who developed acute kidney injury during their hospital stay in the infectious diseases ward of Imam Khomeini hospital were included in the study prospectively. Patients' demographic data, baseline diseases, cause of current hospital admission, history of past and current medications and hemodynamic parameters were collected and monitored closely. Drug induced acute kidney injury was defined based on acute kidney injury network criteria. From 424 admitted patients, 76 (17.9%) developed acute kidney injury. Aminoglycosides (gentamicin and amikacin), amphotericin B, vancomycin, beta-lactam antibiotics (cefazolin and ceftriaxone) in monotherapy and combination therapy were the causes of acute kidney injury in most of the patients. From the co-morbid diseases in patients with acute kidney injury, diabetes mellitus (26.3%) and hypertension (5.5%), were the most frequent ones. Presence of diabetes mellitus as comorbidity (OR=2.6; CI=1.3-5.7, P=0.01), dehydration of patients upon admission (OR=3.4; CI=1.9-6.4, P<0.001), and administration of nephrotoxic combinations (OR=2.1; CI=1.2-4.1, P=0.04) were independent risk factors for antibiotic induced nephrotoxicity in our study. About 18% of the patients developed acute kidney injury during their hospitalization period in the infectious diseases ward. Aminoglycosides, amphotericin B, vancomycin and beta-lactam antibiotics were responsible agents for acute kidney injury in this study